Should Some of Canada’s Backcountry Close? Some Say Yes
Most search and rescue groups don't have the equipment they need to stop the transmission of the coronavirus
As the world comes to grips with the novel coronavirus covid-19 outbreak and governments try to control the spread of the virus, mountain towns and search and rescue groups want people to stay out of the hills.
Why? Because any unnecessary hospital visits could put a harmful strain on the health care system as front line workers prepare for the impending outbreak. Not only that, but if someone needs a rescue, then search and rescue responders can’t follow social distancing guidelines.
On Thursday, Chatter Creek had a B.C. local break his leg after the operation had closed. The pilot was on a mandatory isolation order but most interior pilots are under quarantine due to their forced interaction with international clients. That means that volunteer search and rescue techs had to expose themselves to a dangerous situation to save a skier.
A story in Pique News by Joel Barde, reported that the Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) and Avalanche Canada are asking people to use extra caution in the backcountry. Barde reported that WSAR said their ability to respond is hampered with WSAR manager Brad Sills saying the current situation is like having a swimming pool with no lifeguards. “You have a decision to make,” Barde reported Sills saying. “The pool still there—you can still swim—but if you get in trouble, it may be a long time before somebody comes to you.” Read full article here.
WSAR and other search and rescue groups don’t have access to personal protective gear to guard against the coronavirus. Sills is calling on B.C. to close backcountry recreation. France recently shut down climbing and touring in Chamonix and police can fine people who break the law. Parks Canada closed all visitor services.
Barde also reported that “longtime WSAR member Wayne Flann is also voicing concerns about responding to calls given the lack of access to protective equipment: ‘I personally will not go out on a call until I am supplied with the proper [personal protective equipment] if I need to make contact with a patient.’
Since Avalanche Canada gets a lot of their information from now-closed ski operations, their information is limited, which means backcountry skiers don’t have the best information. That could lead to more accidents. More accidents is a bad thing during a global pandemic.
San Juan County, Colorado, has banned all forms of backcountry recreation including skiing. The ban comes following huge numbers of skiers and riders taking to popular backcountry locations across Colorado. Read the story here.
Across Canada, popular hiking and climbing areas have been closed, including The Chief in Squamish and Mount Nemo in Ontario. Many provinces are starting to enforce social distancing, saying that people are not following the rules. See below for some closures.
Should some of Canada’s backcountry be closed? Maybe some of the busier places. I know a lot of search and rescue workers who don’t want to be exposed to the coronavirus. There are a lot of responsible low-risk backcountry users out there, but there are also irresponsible backcountry users who could put others in harm’s way by their bad decisions.
I’m a climber, skier and love running up peaks, but during this time I won’t be climbing, skiing or hiking up popular trails. I’ll be staying close to home and hiking in not-so-crowded areas. I encourage everyone to do the same. I know this sucks and none of us want this to happen, especially during spring, but we have to let health care officials and our friends in essential services know that while they’re out there working for us, that we’re doing what we can for them.
If we want the backcountry to stay open, then we’re going to have to use extra caution, practice social distancing and be responsible.