There have been several out-of-bounds skiers stories the past few months. This is the current hubbub. This couple was skiing in the backcounty, had only a few granola bars, and didn't have very warm clothing. They got lost then stamped a "SOS" or 2 in the snow. Search and rescue were notified that there were strange signs in the area by heli-ski guides twice. They checked if anyone was reported missing and when finding no missing person report decided not to launch a search. A week after the couple got lost, someone finally reported them missing and the man was rescued but the woman had already died.
Now there is outcry that S&R and the RCMP decided not to search based only on the SOS. Clearly I think this is a case of stupidity-not prepared, didn't let someone know that they were going into the backcounty and when they'd be out. But this whole case is making me very angry. How loud would the outrage be if S&R started launching expensive searched every time there was some vague sign that someone might be in trouble. They did try to find out if anyone was missing-in my mind that is their due diligence.
Am I being overly harsh? What could be done to keep people from being lethally stupid? Or are these people right in expecting S&R's to be launched just incase someone has gotten themselves in trouble?
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I think that people are dumb and complain-happy. They'd winge and moan either way. But, based on seeing our government in action, and assuming that others would work the same way, policy is going to be completely re-written based on a single incident that is going to be held up as a sterling "example" of what could happen to us all.
ReplyDeleteBTW, this is why I always leave a note in my kitchen when I go hiking or skiing alone. Just so people know that I'm dead and can retrieve the body ;-0