Long weekends have a history of being accident prone, but this Thanksgiving holiday saw a welcome breather for Squamish Search and Rescue.
Communications director Christy Allen told The Squamish Chief that the local search and rescue team only received two calls over the three-day weekend.
“Thanksgiving long weekend was a quiet one for Squamish Search and Rescue, we had two calls,” Allen said.
“The first one was for an accidental emergency beacon activation just north of Elfin Lakes. After receiving the call, we connected with the owner of the beacon and confirmed it was accidentally deployed.
“The second one was for an overdue bike packer who was planning to ride the Sea to Sky Trail from Vancouver to Whistler. We received the call just before midnight on Saturday. The bike packer was located Sunday morning safe and sound.”
As of the end of September, Squamish SAR had received 106 calls, only three up from last year's statistics.
Allen said that hiking continues to be the most popular activity for callouts followed by mountain biking and climbing.
The Stawamus Chief, Squamish Valley, Ashlu Valley, Elaho Valley and Watersprite Lake have been the top locations for calls to date.
Staying safe this rainy/snowy season
As the temperature continues to drop, Allen encourages outdoor enthusiasts to be prepared before heading out on an adventure.
“Watch the weather forecast and be prepared. It is not only raining but beginning to snow in the alpine,” she said.
“Conditions change very quickly at this time of year. Being prepared for every type of weather by having a variety of clothing layers is essential.”
She also encouraged people to leave a detailed trip-plan with a friend or family member when venturing out and to ensure regular communication with your chosen contact if the plan changes.
“As we move towards daylight savings time, the days are getting much shorter. Plan your trips accordingly and be sure to be wearing layers and have a headlamp tucked away even if you are just planning to be out for a short adventure,” Allen said.
“If you find yourself needing help in the backcountry don’t delay calling 911. Rescues can get much more difficult with darkness as a factor.”
For more information on backcountry essentials to carry with you, Allen recommends visiting the Adventure Smart website.
