Avalanche Risk High

Friday, January 14, 2011 03:59 AM

The North Columbia region, is at high risk of avalanche (map courtesy Canadian Avalanche Centre)

Prince George, B.C. – Heading into the weekend, the Canadian Avalanche Centre warns the risk of an avalanche in the North Columbia region south of Prince George is high. The Centre says there are very dangerous avalanche conditions, travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended, that natural avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely.

The RCMP along with other government partner agencies believe that the most effective way to reduce and hopefully eliminate preventable avalanche-related deaths is through education on the safe usage of backcountry recreational areas.

In the past 10 years, British Columbia has seen an average of 14 avalanche-related deaths each season. Ten years ago, 50% of fatalities in the backcountry involved skiers and about 25% were linked to snowmobilers. This number has now shifted with snowmobilers accounting for the majority of preventable avalanche-related deaths.

For tips on traversing the backcountry, and to educate yourselves on terrain conditions and essential equipment, please visit the following websites:

Canadian Avalanche Association: www.avalanche.ca

AdventureSmart program: www.adventuresmart.ca
Association of British Columbia Snowmobile Club: www.abcsnow.ca
BC Snowmobile Federation: www.bcsf.org

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Posted on Friday, January 14, 2011 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: doogood on January 14 2011 7:33 AM

One problem is that high performance snowmobiles are easily accessed now for purchase. This is leading to inexperienced snowmobilers being able to go places they shouldn't be. Back in the day it was only the experienced snowmobilers that could get their sleds to these places.
With more traffic and lots of noise in the mountains you get avalanche.
Is it possible that even the experienced snowmobilers are now going places they haven't gone before to get away from rookies.

Posted by: sledhead on January 14 2011 9:43 AM

I do agree that more and more people who are making good money are going out and buying these high performance sleds, and heading out the the backcountry.

They may lack the experience, and have never taken an avalanche course....which is a recipe for disaster IMO.

But, a myth that just doesn't seem to die is that NOISE causes avalanches!! Noise doesn't have enough force to trigger an avalanche.

There are naturally triggered avalanches, meaning that the weather can put enough stress on the snowpack to cause an avalanche, and human triggered ones, which means the added weight of a skier, sledder, etc can initiate a fracture within the snowpack, and then you have an avalanche.

Posted by: Give more on January 14 2011 10:27 AM

If noise doesn't trigger avalanches, then why are they triggered by a helicopter flying over an area??

Posted by: interceptor on January 14 2011 10:37 AM

Because that helicoptor is dropping explosive charges?

Posted by: dbs on January 14 2011 12:17 PM

The tips of helicopter blades travel faster than the speed of sound, creating a sonic boom. This causes the same effect as an explosive charge, if close enough to the snowpack.

Posted by: BCRacer on January 14 2011 1:13 PM

I think that now people have been warned, if they end up needing to be rescued they should pay the whole cost of the rescue... plus HST...

Posted by: Dragonmaster on January 14 2011 2:15 PM

Hey BCRacer. You have been warned that you could "at anytime" be involved in a car crash. That is a known risk we all take. Even when we know what could happen, we've been warned and do it anyway.

So, what you're saying is that you or your friends and family that are involved in any type of crash or incident where there are clear warnings that death or injury may result, should have to personally pay for their rescue from these situations "BECAUSE THEY WERE WARNED".

I think people should give their heads a shake before posting comments that are clearly selfish.

Posted by: acrider54 on January 15 2011 7:49 AM

Good post doogood your right on the money. I pretty much gave up on riding in the mountains due to the inexpierenced riders out there, they show no respect at all just point and go and don't have a clue of what may happen.

Just met a first time sledder riding a 900 cc machine hmmmm

Posted by: BCRacer on January 15 2011 8:09 AM

Sorry Dragonmaster...I don't think we are even on the same wave lenghth...and by no means am I selfish
and if you want to go out and put yourself in danger ...feel free...and if you want to ignore warning s, go for it...but how can you hoestly feel you have the right to put others in danger saving your butt because you didn't listen...in this case the danger level is far above normal levels...
so whom is the selfish one...
but go for it...
endanger your life...

And i know this is a useless arguement...