Bhak Jolicoeur will always remember Debbie Blair as a good woman who loved performing in theatre, music and dance events in Vancouver’s arts community.
“She was just living life to the fullest … the way I would describe her is tough as nails and tender as a teddy bear,” said Jolicoeur, Blair’s friend and former roommate.
Blair disappeared Sept. 29, while on a day hike with 11 others on Cypress Mountain. Somehow the 65-year-old with early signs of Alzheimers, slipped away from her Carnegie Community Centre hiking group. She was unprepared for a night outdoors.
“For all the organizers in the city who know her I know they are thinking this is a sad situation,” said Jolicoeur, who also organizes cultural arts events.
In an emailed statement, the city of Vancouver said Blair had hiked with the Carnegie Community Centre program previously.
“The safety and wellbeing of participants in the excursion program is the top priority for staff. Safety and security protocols are place to ensure participants have a safe and enjoyable experience … Patrons are advised to stay with the group at all times and to not wander off independently,” said the city statement.
Despite an extensive air and ground search, North Shore Rescue volunteers found no trace of Blair. “Don’t get separated from the group. Unfortunately for Debbie that’s exactly what happened is she got separated from the group and it was at a junction point on the trail and which way she went we’re still not sure to this day,” said North Shore Rescue Team Leader Mike Danks.
“It’s getting worse all the time … 30 to 40 people go out, it’s impossible for a leader to keep an eye on that many people,” warned Brent Ehrl of North Shore Hikers.
Ehrl’s hiking group is encountering an increasing number of new or inexperienced hikers on local trails, many of whom are unequipped for the elements. He fears North Shore Rescue, which has already logged 110 calls this year, will be faced with more tragedies.
“Debbie is you know just the latest one. I expect more, winter’s coming … Grouse is easy, Cypress, Seymour — you get past that first little range of hills you are in the middle of nowhere,” said Ehrl.
Jolicoeur meantime urges hikers to “always have someone with you who never leaves your side.”
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