NSR prepared for increased calls over the long weekend

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With summer unofficially getting underway this long weekend, you may have the local backcountry in your sights, but be careful.

North Shore Rescue Team Leader Mike Danks is reminding you not to be deceived by the warm weather we’ve had lately.

“The really important thing for people to keep in mind is there is still snow in the backcountry, so to make sure you’re prepared for that.”


Related Articles

Melting snowpack allows NSR to find missing people in the backcountry

Backcountry rescue prompts repeated warning about safety

NSR urges caution in the backcountry amid increased avalanche risk


If you are planning on doing your first hike of the year, make sure you’re up for it.

“Make sure the hike that you’re doing is appropriate to your fitness level. Always let someone know where you’re going, what time you’re expected back, when that person should call for help if you don’t return,” explains Danks.

Even if you’re not a seasoned hiker but you still want to do it, take the 10 essentials with you and at the very least, pack a cellphone, some food and water.

“For 90 per cent of our calls for overdue hikers, those are caused by people who don’t have a light source with them. Having a headlamp, having some extra clothes because the weather can change very quickly here on the North Shore,” points out Danks.

Another issue, he adds, is too many people call for help when they’re phone is about to run out of juice. “Their battery is less than 10 per cent which really puts the pressure on us to try and locate them as quickly as possible before they have absolutely no cell signal whatsoever.”

Earlier this month, NEWS 1130 reported North Shore Rescue had carried our roughly 40 calls so far this year, which is a record for this time of year. Danks expects that number to go up significantly as the weather heats up.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today