After reading the story [about a death on Black Tusk] today it made me think (see Pique, July 11). A lot of parks have ladders and chains in dangerous or difficult portions of hikes. Having lived in the Sea to Sky for many years, I’ve done the Black Tusk hike multiple times, one time summiting the Chimney, one time I just waited for my friends at the bottom as I didn’t feel it was worth the risk, and the third time I climbed up with a helmet (while being showered with rocks from above). The helmet may have given a false sense of security, but that’s beside the point.
Regardless, after this incident I think it’s worth a discussion of whether chains or steel ladders should be installed on the Chimney. I believe this would require more work than your average rock bolts due to the rock type, being heavily fracture, soft and jointed rock. It would likely involve drilling deeper holes and installing resin rebar, which could be done, but would require more time and money.
This would increase the safety of the Chimney exponentially. However, it would also make climbing it more accessible, which then adds potentially more exposure and subsequent risk as less experienced people may feel emboldened to climb it with assistance when they otherwise wouldn’t.
I think it’s worth a discussion, as this likely won’t be the last person to get injured as hiking in Garibaldi Provincial Park continues to grow in popularity.
Jake Gram // Whistler
[Editor’s Note: There is a lack of consensus on where the hiker actually fell off Black Tusk. Police maintain it was from the Chimney, while Whistler Search and Rescue said it was the summit area, based on where her body was recovered.]
