BACKCOUNTRY DANGER
Alpine users urged to heed avalanche risks and avoid putting themselves and rescue workers in jeopardy
As family and friends of two snowshoers missing near Cypress Mountain resort cling to hope for their safe return, authorities are advising outdoor recreational users to exercise caution on the ski slopes and in the backcountry.
With sunshine and blue skies expected to beckon skiers and snowboarders to the mountains over the New Year’s long weekend, Ilya Storm has a practical piece of advice: “You need to bring your brain.”
“When the sky is blue and the powder deep and the winds are down, it’s pretty enticing to go steeper, ride deeper and creep into bigger terrain,” said Storm, an avalanche forecaster with Avalanche Canada.
“I would encourage people to be aware of the effect blue sky can have on your psychology and risk perception.”
North Shore Rescue volunteers are waiting for clearer skies, too, so they can resume the search for Chun Sek Lam, 64, and Roy Tin Hou Lee, 43, who have been missing since Christmas Day after embarking on a snowshoe hike from the parking lot of Cypress Mountain resort.
The search remained suspended Thursday due to poor weather conditions and high avalanche risk.
Crews hope to resume the search Friday morning with the help of two choppers, including one equipped with a thermal imaging camera. The search will be focused on the north side of Mount Strachan in the area of the Montizambert and Lembke drainages.
Ming Chan, a friend of the missing pair, said it has been a difficult time for family and friends, knowing the two men have been up on the mountain for five nights.
“We don’t give up. We hope they survive. Everyone is still hopeful for the best outcome,” Chan said.
Carol Lee, who identified herself as Roy’s sister in a Facebook post, expressed her gratitude to search and rescue teams.
“It is heartbreaking to have no luck finding Roy yet, but we really appreciate the strong effort from the team and know that you all have tried the best,” she wrote. “There is still hope and we will not give up.”
Chan, who belongs to the same informal hiking club as the two snowshoers, believes they had gone up the Howe Sound Crest Trail on Christmas Day morning, which dawned calm and clear.
He said the pair were experienced hikers, but failed to tell others of their hiking route.
“This is a lesson to us,” Chan said. “When you go hiking, tell people where you are going.”
Mike Danks, team leader of North Shore Rescue, said the lack of a trip plan meant crews initially had to work off three different mountains, spreading resources thin. It wasn’t until Wednesday, working from tips from the public, that the search was narrowed down to Mount Strachan.
Despite repeated warnings, there have been continued incidents of skiers or boarders going out of bounds, noted Danks.
NSR received a call Thursday afternoon about a lost snowboarder who ducked boundaries on Mount Seymour; he managed to get himself out, but was missing for two hours, said Danks.
“Those people appear to be completely naive of the dangers they are putting themselves in — and if they get themselves lost, the dangers they’re putting rescuers in,” he said.
Backcountry users should be aware of avalanche conditions before venturing out and should carry an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel, as well as extra layers of clothes, a headlamp, a first aid kit and a cellphone with a fully charged battery.
The avalanche risk is expected to ease Friday, but Avalanche Canada recommends giving the snowpack a couple days to settle before heading into big terrain and steep, sun-exposed slopes.
Storm said anyone going into the backcountry should check the Avalanche Canada website before they head out.