As a strong storm approaches the B.C. Coast and the local mountains are starting to report snowfalls, the North Shore Rescue (NSR) team is reminding outdoor enthusiasts to prepare properly.
In an blog post called It’s Not Summer, NSR member John Blown says Vancouver hikers need to know it is winter in the mountains and with the change in climate, comes the need to dress accordingly.
Blown says he was on Mt. Seymour on Wednesday and was troubled by seeing the “vast majority of people on the hill” being “utterly unprepared for the conditions.”
He estimates that hundreds of people were on the mountain and most were dressed for summer hiking conditions, even though the terrain was covered in snow and the trail was compacted and icy.
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He saw people wearing everything from jeans, khakis and capri pants to having vans, skate shoes, cowboy boots and gum boots on their feet. There were no back packs, jackets, gloves, toques or maps of the trail with these hikers.
Blown reminds people that it is “winter up there” and that everyone should be prepared. Some of the tips include: bringing winter equipment; giving yourself enough time as it does get dark very early now; preparing properly by reviewing your planned hike and description; ensuring you and everyone in your group have the appropriate equipment and fitness level for you hike; and make sure you tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
Lastly, Blown says to turn your phone onto airplane mode when you start hiking, in case you need to call for help and don’t hike alone.
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NSR had an inordinately high amount of rescues over the summer and would like to make sure their emergency call statistics do not increase for the year.
For more information on what to bring hiking, click here.
Additional Information:
10 Essentials to bring when heading into the north shore mountains
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