http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=0fff5e36-5893-48d1-b46e-5a73afa81591

Hopefully this will make it to the TV news so the general public understands that it’s ok to call for rescue when he/she needs one.

Again, fines and payment for rescue aren’t likely to happen. Saving a life in the mountains far outweighs any bills associated with the rescue. Rescue agencies won’t let it happen. Even in Alberta and National Parks, where the public safety programs are government funded, there is never a charge for any rescue or recovery for the very reasons stated: nobody should ever feel like they are going to be penalized when they require a rescue and nobody should ever have to think twice about making the call for resucue. Accidents happen.

It is going to be up to the resorts as to how people are punished for breaking their rules. This won’t/ can’t be monetary, they don’t have the authority to do this, so you’re likely to lose your pass or they will refuse service, which they do have the right to do. So keep that in mind while a guest at a resort and you consider breaking their rules. They are going to do what they need to do to prevent injuries, bad press, and perform due dilligence and avoid civil action against the resort.

Backcountry closures and restrictions already happen on Crown land for safety issues, conservation issues, or land zoning regulations. They will continue to happen and penalties for this can already result in fines, equipment seisures, or court appearances. It’s been this way for years. So again, if you decide to break the rules on Crown land (depending on the jurisdiction), be prepared for the consequence. Blanket backcountry closures to Crown land aren’t likely to happen though. As I mentioned before, the logistics of patrolling that much land, split between too many regulatory agencies, just isn’t possible so the government won’t do it. Seeing as the land is managed as a public trust for the citizens of the province I believe that the government would not be able to successfuly do this even if they wanted to, the will isn’t there to do it and there would be too much public backlash.

Every year without fail this same thing happens. I in no way advocate payment for rescue; however, I would like to see some sort of a system where people are more accountable to the mounain community when things happen. There is assumed risk to all outdoor persuits and it is time for the growing mountain culture to shift and recognise this. Education, experience, preparedness, and prevention should be a bigger topic than the role and cost of search and rescue. SAR is a last result, rescues take a minimum of an hour and often can far exceed this, far too late to save a burried or severely injured person. It is up to individuals to be safe and nobody else. Often people can’t afford the training or equipment or they simply don’t know where to get it. A backcountry insurance system doesn’t need to be viewed as a penalty or restriction to the use of the backcountry, it can be used to better fund search and rescue, or create programs to better coordinate or connect users with SAR agencies in the form of check in systems, equipment loans, or more broad reaching/subsidised training that is supported by the actual users themselves. A system like that may be far fetched though, but something needs to be done to shift the culture and make people safe even if they currently refuse to do it on their own.

I think viewing the actions/reactions taken be resorts or governments over this issue as an infringement on our rights and freedoms isn’t constructive and more cohesive solutions should be formed through cooperation and consultation with all stakeholders involved. I very strongly believe that the places we love are not a right. Just because we can see it doesn’t mean we can do it, we need to have a better apprecitation and respect for these places than that. We have the great privilage to be able to connect with and enojoy these places. With that users should take the responsibility and provide the stewardship to these places that they deserve and to use them in a safe and suitable manner.

I enjoy reaching the top of something under my own power and the anticipation of the amazing turns I’ve just earnt. I’m pretty sure there are as many reasons as there are people who enjoy the backcountry

Also terrain that is challenging, the feeling of exploration, no one else around, and natural obstacles (pillow lines, cliffs etc) that may not be present on ski resorts.

haha this is getting nuts.

I’m all for people being able to make informed decisions and take their own risk, but they should (must?) be trained on how to do so, have the right equipment, and shoulder a bit of the cost…perhaps through BC insurance or something.

It’s a slippery slope, indeed.