Search-and-Rescue Teams Alarmed by Rising Incidents in B.C. Wilderness

Search-and-rescue teams in British Columbia are increasingly concerned about the rise in injuries and fatalities in the region’s wilderness this summer. Reports indicate that risky behaviour, particularly among local hikers, is contributing to the alarming trend, especially on the North Shore.

So far in 2023, six people have died, and three others remain missing in the Sea to Sky area. Local search-and-rescue teams attribute many of these incidents to a lack of preparation and an increase in risky activities, often fueled by social media. Many individuals are attempting to capture the perfect outdoor shot for platforms like Instagram, sometimes putting their safety at risk.

According to Sandra Riches, executive director of B.C. AdventureSmart, 95 percent of search-and-rescue cases involve local residents. The majority of these incidents are linked to hikers, followed by mountain bikers and ATV users. Riches emphasizes that many people venture into the wilderness without adequate preparation for emergencies or without understanding the potential dangers of their chosen activities.

“Not everyone knows how to use a map and a compass together. They’re not familiar with reading a map, let alone planning their adventure,” Riches explained. “People are going beyond their means, beyond their skill, beyond their training.”

The influence of social media is a significant factor in this trend. Riches noted, “People are scrolling. They see other outdoor enthusiasts having a great time on a peak, paddling a river, riding a mountain bike down an awesome trail. It looks very enticing. And everyone thinks, ‘Hey, I can do that.’”

Riches advocates for social media users to share not just the fun moments, but also the effort and training that goes into such adventures. She believes this could help educate new hikers about the realities of wilderness exploration.

Despite the alarming trends, North Shore Rescue has not been reachable for comment. However, spokesman Doug Pope expressed his concerns, stating, “I can’t recall such a bad start to the search-and-rescue season.”

Riches pointed out that many of the rescues could have been avoided by following the three Ts: Trip planning, training, and taking the 10 essentials. Information on these topics is readily available on the AdventureSmart website.

The number of search-and-rescue tasks in B.C. has consistently risen over the past decade, with a reported 1,960 tasks in 2022. Most of the individuals requiring assistance are between the ages of 20 and 29. Some in this demographic may overlook safety and preparation resources, believing their previous hiking experience is sufficient.

“I can guarantee you that a lot of young people see the cool shots on Instagram, and they say, ‘I’ve got to go there,’ even though they have little or no experience,” stated Ian MacDonald, spokesman for Coquitlam Search and Rescue. He highlighted that many do not utilize AdventureSmart, considering it outdated.

MacDonald also mentioned common mistakes that hikers make, such as starting long hikes too late in the day. A typical error involves beginning an eight-hour hike at 14:00, which often results in encountering dangerous conditions after dark.

Despite similar trends in the Ridge Meadows area, where Brent Boulet, president of Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue, noted an increase in inexperienced hikers venturing into alpine areas, the situation has not been as dire as on the North Shore. Boulet acknowledged that social media plays a role in encouraging inexperienced hikers to undertake risky adventures.

The rising number of visitors to parks and camps in British Columbia also contributes to the increase in rescue calls. The B.C. government reported 283,743 bookings at provincial parks between January and June 2023, compared to 251,285 during the same period in 2022.

As search-and-rescue teams face a challenging summer, they continue to strategize on how to effectively reach and educate outdoor enthusiasts. The rise in incidents serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparation and caution when exploring the natural beauty of British Columbia.