In a place like Squamish and in communities along the Sea to Sky corridor, the idea of safety is a relative thing. While some gaze up at climbers high on the Stawamus Chief's sheer rock faces and think "That's pretty dangerous", a trained climber with years of experience and all the right gear would consider it just another day in the park.
The same goes for many of the recreational activities in the area. Some may view downhill mountain biking or snowboarding as extreme and dangerous sports, while enthusiasts would hardly consider them threats to life and limb. In the end, it is a matter of perspective and precautions that determine the safety of something in each person's mind.
In the past few days, the safety of sightseeing along Highway 99 has emerged as something of a concern for people in the area. In less than a week, two separate incidents have claimed lives at sightseeing pullouts along the Sea to Sky Highway. Both incidents involved visitors falling to their deaths after slipping down embankments at the side of the highway.
Admittedly, these are the only such deaths in recent memory, but it does point out an area that does indeed possess a potential for tragedy. If it can happen twice in five days, it can happen a lot more frequently unless something is done to protect sightseers at these particular points of interest.
One idea I have heard bandied about this week involves erecting fences at perceived danger spots to prevent people from getting too close to cliff edges. But, some argue this would impact the view - the very reason people stop at these points in the first place. And, if people will climb over a cement barrier to get a better view or photo, then, it can be argued, they will climb over a fence, as well.
Better signage seems to be a better solution, in my opinion. A few, well-placed signs at particularly dangerous (or perceived dangerous) areas, warning about the potential for falling and injury, would seem to cover all the right bases. As with extreme sports, the onus would then be on each individual to gauge whether or not their activities (like climbing over a cement safety barricade) are within their own safety limits.
Some things in the Sea to Sky corridor, like climbing and snowboarding, do possess inherent dangers, but most who partake in these activities are aware of the risks. Perhaps the same should apply to the relatively docile sport of sightseeing. If a danger or risk exists, people should be made aware, so they can make informed decisions and avoid potential injury.
