Base jumping - the term is enough to send shivers down the spines of many less adventurous individuals, and understandably so.
But should this visceral reaction be the basis for a complete ban on the activity? What about imposing serious restrictions and insurance costs as was suggested in the media this week? (Incidentally, while CTV News attributed these ideas to Mayor Greg Gardner, he insists he said no such thing, adding, however, that he likes these notions.)
One thing is sure: the question requires a much more philosophical approach in the land of outdoor recreation.
Over the past decades, scads of base jumpers have edged their way to the lip of one of the Chief's peaks, protected from gravity only by just a parachute. Two of them so far this year have ended up careening into the face of the granite monolith hundreds of metres off the ground sending rescuers scrambling to save them.
Some say the incidents -few as they may be - use precious resources that some argue would be "better" served elsewhere, like searching for the two missing Elfin Lake hikers as the latest base jumper rescue operation was underway.
"I don't want my tax money spent on that," said one woman interviewed at the base of the Chief by CTV News this week - while, incidentally, oohing and aahing at the rock climbers on its face despite the fact that climbers have required rescue far more frequently than base jumpers.
If these measures were implemented, where would that leave other "extreme" sports of the area? It's unlikely locals would support severely limiting the activities that for many, are the sole reason they live here.
Rock climbing is the easily the most hair raising for some, and it does result in at least a few deaths in the area each year. And how many among us have sported deep scrapes, bruises and more serious injuries from downhill mountain biking over rough terrain?
Then there's whitewater kayaking, which carries the risk of plunging under freezing water never to resurface. And this week, a few hikers discovered the perils of their activity when North Shore Rescue had to pluck them out of a gully while after their amble around Elfin Lakes turned into a life-risking scramble.
Whatever the activity, there are risks. And there's nothing that irks rescue workers more than people who do little to mitigate those risks.
Take those hikers -they planned for a day hike and nothing else.
The most recent imperiled jumper compares his activity's need for preparation with hiking - and although humbled, insists his group was very well prepared that day.
"I apologize for all the inconvenience that I have caused," he wrote in a letter to The Chief. "I am thankful that you all will realize what happened is not so different than any hiker that goes on the trail without being prepared (GPS, maps, water, food, overnight clothing)."
The question remains, does the community agree?
- Sylvie Paillard
