Article content
With Covid-19 cases rising and the second lockdown upon us, the backcountry and slack country are expected to see record numbers, with many people heading to Canmore and surrounding areas to access the mountains.
Bonded through tragedy, a group of skiers from Canmore who were caught in an avalanche in 2016 while on a guided backcountry ski tour in British Columbia are sharing their story of losing their friend, Doug Churchill, in hopes of sending a warning to others heading to the mountains this winter.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser. Avalanche survivors warn to keep safe as record numbers head to backcountry Back to video
Wilderness rescuers brace for a busy winter
Story by Jane C. Hu / High Country News
Every winter, volunteers from Seattle Mountain Rescue are dispatched to the sites of dozens of harrowing incidents: They rescue backcountry skiers buried in avalanches, help injured hikers descend slick trails and once, they even removed the wreckage of a single-engine plane from a mountainside. Volunteers must tackle steep, avalanche-prone mountain terrain, carrying the requisite gear to ward off hypothermia. Once on the scene, they rig anchors and ropes to carry out rescues, a time-intensive project that often lasts until after dark. “I can’t think of a time I didn’t come out in a headlamp during a winter mission,” said Cheri Higman, chairperson of the organization.