Rescue teams are urging caution following two deaths in three days as spring transforms British Columbia’s backcountry, reports the Canadian Press.
Doug Pope, search manager with North Shore Rescue, describes spring as “probably the most dangerous time of year” in the mountains. As daytime warmth softens the snowpack, overnight temperatures refreeze it into hard, icy surfaces—conditions that can catch even experienced hikers off guard.
Last weekend, a 28-year-old woman died after slipping and falling several hundred meters in the Mount Seymour backcountry. She and a friend had hiked to the Pump Peak area on April 18, camping overnight when the snow was soft. By morning, the snow had hardened. According to rescuers, the woman dropped her phone and lost her footing while trying to retrieve it. Her friend, unable to locate her, called 911 for help.
Earlier this week, a 17-year-old boy died after a 200-foot (60-meter) fall on Bastion Mountain in the Shuswap region, and another 18-year-old sustained serious injuries after sliding down an icy slope at Mount Seymour Ski Resort while attempting to help a friend.
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Pope notes that while avalanche risks dominate winter safety conversations, the dangers of spring’s icy slopes receive less attention. “We see terrible injuries from slips and falls on the mountain this time of year,” he said, emphasizing that sunny weather in the city can mask the winter-like hazards at higher elevations.
Sandra Riches, executive director of B.C.’s AdventureSmart, says spring conditions create a “false sense of security.” She urges backcountry travelers to plan carefully, assess terrain and sun exposure, and bring appropriate gear, such as hiking boots with micro-spikes or crampons and an ice axe for steeper slopes.
“Think about your terrain choice really wisely, and the aspects and the slope, based on sun exposure and what that can do to the snow,” Riches said. She stresses the importance of pausing to assess safety before reacting to lost gear or unexpected situations, reminding adventurers that “your destination is home.”
With the final week of winter forecasts underway and less data available, confidence in predictions is lower, making it essential for backcountry users to stay adaptable and assess conditions firsthand.
