Hikers reminded to be safe on the Grouse Grind
Posted May 17, 2014 7:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Grouse Grind opened for the summer season on Victoria Day long weekend, and a local rescue organization reminds you to hike safely.
A safe Grind means planning ahead: bringing enough water, wearing proper shoes, and carrying a fully charged cellphone. Douglas Pope with the North Shore Rescue says most people run into problems when they disobey the trail rules.
“There [are] closure times posted, those should be heeded,” says Pope. “And not to hike too late, because we do get a lot of people stuck after dark on the Grind.”
Pope explains that the most frequent calls to the North Shore Rescue have to do with hikers getting lost or stuck on the trails after dark, with no cellphone or flashlight. He also reminds people not to take the trail back down to avoid injuring themselves, or getting in the way of fellow hikers.
“We’ve seen injuries for people hiking down, and it’s such a busy trail, you’re getting in people’s way,” Pope tells News1130. “So enjoying the Sky Ride on the downhill is the best part.”
Other common reasons for rescue team assistance are overheating and exhaustion. Pope advises to be physically prepared, and check a list of essential items for safe hiking.
