Icy, snowy conditions on local mountains prompts warning from NSR

The Lower Mainland may have enjoyed a clear sky, crunchy fall leaves, and sun over the weekend, but it was a very different story on the North Shore mountains.

Almost two months before we officially welcome winter — the so-called shoulder season — there is already a lot of snow and ice on the trails and peaks.

North Shore Rescue Team Leader Mike Danks says unless you know what you’re doing and you have the right equipment, stay home.

“As soon as the sun goes down, any moisture turns to ice and it can be quite treacherous, to be honest, so having micro spikes with you all year-round is a great idea. If you look in my backpack, I always have them.”

Hikers, don’t be fooled by the nice weather we’re having. It’s sunny and clear down here, but the mountains are seeing a lot of snow and ice, which is prompting a warning from @NSRescue. Chatted w/Team Leader @MDanks_NSR. https://t.co/wiosYGghRK pic.twitter.com/wskwFRAPe1

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) October 31, 2021

That’s in addition to crampons, batteries, food, and extra layers that aren’t made out of a particular fabric, which Danks stresses don’t work in those conditions.

“And that really speaks to having multiple layers with you and the message we want to get out is cotton is not ideal for outside. You want to have either synthetic clothing or wool — something that’s going to breath when you’re sweating and it’s going to provide warmth even when it’s moist or wet.”

Danks adds some of the rescues they’re called to around this time of year come from people who head up to watch the sunset and then get stuck when they realize they’re not prepared for the cold conditions and can’t get down safely.

“Another key factor is to be prepared for the sun to set quite early, so having a headlamp and having extra batteries can make a big difference. Also, just making sure you’re telling somebody where your intended destination is, what time you’re expected back, and when they should call for help.”

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Snow has already been falling on both Grouse and Whistler Blackcomb mountains, and other peaks are starting to see their fair share as well.

“But it really depends on the locations you’re going to and that’s why it’s so important to speak to people ahead of time, so whether that’s the landowner, so BC Parks or the local mountains — talk to them. Check out their cameras and see what the conditions are for the area that you’re going to,” Danks said.

He adds without fail, every year, they see people taken aback by the conditions when the weather is crisp and clear in the Lower Mainland.

“Today is a great example. It’s a beautiful, sunny day in town and you can be in a t-shirt and just a vest and you can be totally fine, but as soon as you’re in the mountains and you even just get out of the direct sunlight, the temperature changes very quickly and you have to keep in mind the mountainous weather can change very quickly as well,” he explained Sunday.

“It might be sunny in town but if you’re above the cloud layer or in the clouds on the mountains, well, it’s going to be a lot colder and it’s also going to be a lot moister. Be prepared for those conditions, have extra gloves, toques, have an extra puffy jacket. Those things make a world of difference.”

North Shore Rescue, which is the busiest search and rescue team in North America, says it’s quickly closing in on 200 rescues so far this year, which is way ahead of last year’s record-breaking figure of 151.