Whether you're venturing into the mountains on snowhoes, skis, a splitboard or a sled, BC AdventureSmart has made it their mission to ensure you're equipped with all the necessary information before you head out. That's why the organization will be dropping by Whistler this weekend—on Saturday, Jan. 16 and Sunday, Jan. 17— in support of Avalanche Awareness Days.
BC AdventureSmart staff will be stationed at the base of the Blackcomb Gondola from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, working to raise awareness about outdoor safety, personal preparedness and incident prevention. Those important messages are hitting home even harder, after weeks of high avalanche danger and several tragic incidents across the Sea to Sky corridor.
"With an increase in search and rescue incidents during the past 10 months and an increase in outdoor recreation, British Columbians are urged to 'get informed before they go outdoors,'" AdventureSmart shared in a news release.
"Though it is beautiful, the BC backcountry is remote and can be unpredictable. Severe weather and avalanches are two of its primary hazards, so for any backcountry travel you—and everyone in your group—must be self-sufficient. If you’re travelling in avalanche terrain, ensure that you and your group also have proper avalanche training."
Before heading into potentially dangerous terrain, British Columbians are urged to make a trip plan and share it with a loved one—a task that be accomplished through AdventureSmart's Trip Plan App—ensure they understand and can recognize weather patterns and read alpine terrain, know the current avalanche dangers, carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel, and check conditions before leaving for an adventure.
"Ultimately, sound judgment and knowing when to turn around and save it for another day are your most important backcountry survival skills," reads the release.
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