Dear Editor:
Once again the papers and the news media are reporting on North Shore Rescue folk searching for those who have skied, snowboarded and snowshoed “out of bounds.”
I have a little message for those folks who are contemplating a day out on the snow, the ones who enjoy going “out of bounds.”
Why are you so selfish? What makes you think that you and your pleasure are more important than the safety and security of our fine NSR heroes? Because of your selfish actions and reasons (fresh powder, open spaces, isolation), people are taken away from their hot dinners, warm beds, loving arms, sweet families, to search for you. All important you! And, they do it for free.
When I was involved with Scouts Canada I used to give a lesson on “How Not To Die In the Snow.”
The first lesson was: stay in bounds. Second lesson: wear bright colours. Third lesson: stay in bounds. Fourth lesson: Don’t be selfish.
It is all very well to carry survival gear with you when you go out there, but it just makes life easier for all when you stay in bounds.
We all hope that people who do go out of bounds will be rescued. A recovery takes it toll on even the most professional of the NSR service. And that toll can also be taken not only on the families of the lost, but on the families of the NSR folk. My strong advice to you is don’t be selfish. Make 2017 the year of living unselfishly.
Terry Platt
West Vancouver
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