Sure as been a bad year so far!

My question is this. At what point do we discontinue to allow people to venture into dangerous areas. It appears that no matter how dangerous, people still snowmobile in highly dangerous areas, snowboard, ski, hike etc. I suppose that they have no regard for all of the emergency rescue people who are called upon when there is an incident who are also at risk when they are called to respond to the emergencies of others.

Chester. The problem is that the dangerous areas are now certain areas that people used to frequent time and time again without any incident. Even the smallest of slopes are sliding this year (ones that never posed at threat in the past) and it doesnt take very much snow to bury someone long enough for them to suffocate.

Alot of posts on this subject lately. Chester, you can't stop people from doing dangerous things, you can only warn, inform & hope for the best. You can't legislate common sense, you can only educate & hope people will use the tools they have been given.
Conditions in northern BC are a bit more stable than those in the South, but not a whole lot more. There is always a safe(r)
way in & out of the mountains. there is no shame in retreating if you aren't sure.
I have read some posts from users who
claim alot of experience, but not claiming to be an expert. Are there any ski/mountain guides (certified) that can weigh in on the subject? One thing I do know, if the CAA issues warnings, it is usually a good idea to sit up & take notice. That means instead of critisizing
go out & do some snow analyses of your own.
that way you can speak with some authority.

I agree that we cannot legislate what people are going to do with their snow machines. If you want to pursue your passion for riding up near vertical slopes and trying to break through cornices then it is your right to die of suffocation under ten tons of compacted snow. Why you would want to put your friends and family through hell is beyond me. Not to mention the risks taken by the people who have to rescue your ragged ass. To me, you are asking for trouble. Ride the back country, see the sights, climb some hills, but don't be stupid. Discretion before valour, boys and girls.
metalman.

Posted by: Chester on January 18 2009 6:01 PM
My question is this. At what point do we discontinue to allow people to venture into dangerous areas."


You don't Chester, you stay the He!! out of it and mind your own business or we will come into your home and tell you what you can and can't do any longer cause we don't like it.

Pretty simple huh?

Lostfaith, I can certainly understand your viewpoint when it comes to our use &
freedom being threatened in the backcountry. I think though we should be more concerned with the current trend of
our own fellow users wanting to restrict where we can go, what back country shelter
can be accessed by a chosen few, which
licensed guide can use helicopters....
Our use & access to the backcountry is
seeing an unprecedented assault by the very
people who should be actively encouraging
usage. These are the people we should be wary of.
From the posts I've read by Chester it sounds like he has a fair bit of experience when it comes to snow machines.
I think the point of view that it is selfish putting others at risk to satisfy our own sense of enjoyment is a valid. Over the years I have heard skiers & snow
mobilers express some very irresponsible
comments as to both their knowledge & common sense in the backcountry. Knowing that if something were to happen to them in their ignorance/arrogance, I may be one of the rescuers does rankle as I have a very clear idea of what it takes to try to rescue & aid an avalanche victim.