South Cariboo Search and Rescue (SCSAR) members were mobilized for a call of overdue snowmobilers at Mica Mountain on Jan. 4.
Luckily, the riders made it back to the trail head safely.
The incident was a good trial of SCSAR’s response system, says Shane Gunn, head of the SCSAR Avalanche Team.
“It was a really good kind of test of our avalanche response pre-plan because we were responding into Mica Mountain area, which is avalanche terrain. Our whole system came together and really worked. It ended up being a happy ending.”
That’s not always the case, Gunn adds. With the idea of being prepared in avalanche terrain in mind, SCSAR is putting on an avalanche safety training course at the SCSAR Society at 5830B Horse Lake Rd. North on Jan. 18-19.
The course, which runs during Avalanche Awareness Days, which is a celebration of Canada’s avalanche safety expertise, is geared towards people who snowmobile.
“Ultimately, we’re trying to be proactive,” Gunn says, adding having the know-how and right gear goes a long way to staying safe in the outdoors should an avalanche occur.
Gunn talks about the “big 3” – getting the training, having the gear and planning your trip according to conditions.
He advises against things, such as avalanche search apps for Smartphones. They don’t replace a true avalanche transceiver, Gunn says.
“People going out into the backcountry, into avalanche terrain, they have to have an avalanche transceiver, a shovel and a probe. Also, you have to have the skills on how to use that equipment, and that’s what this course is.
“It gives you the knowledge so you know how to use the tools effectively.”
For more information about the course, visit local snowmobile dealerships in the area or contact Gunn at 250-945-9450.
