By The Canadian Press

Outdoor enthusiasts urged to exercise caution in avalanche terrain

Feb 18, 2018 | 8:36 AM

KAMLOOPS, B.C.  — B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety is asking people to be prepared when travelling to the backcountry this weekend. 

With Saturday’s snow fall and a sharp decrease in temperature over much of the province the risk of natural and human-caused avalanches has increased. 

Mark Grist with Avalanche Canada says the danger is greater the further south you go.

“There will be quite a strong north to south gradient of snowfall,” Grist said, “so the northern edge will … take a line from Revelstoke to Kamloops, and below that snow levels will increase significantly, so towards Nelson you could see 30 cm of new snow.” 

According to the ministry, search and rescue teams have responded to more than 160 incidents since the start of the year. 

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Grist echoes the ministry’s warning to backcountry recreationists. 

“We really want to emphasize people undertake the trip planning for the activities they want to do, they take the essential gear for their activities, and if where they’re going involves avalanche terrain then they become adequately trained.”