Dear Editor:
I am a 56-year-old North Vancouver resident and I hike and bike the North Shore trails almost daily.
Most of the trails are fairly well-marked. However, some are not as easy to follow as others and it seems as though there are areas where a few additional markers would be beneficial. With the number of the rescues lately there seems to be a common refrain ... “the hikers/bikers get turned around or lost.”
With the enormous cost of dispatching rescuers and the helicopter, would it be reasonable to consider purchasing more markers and signage to reduce the number of hikers getting lost or disoriented? I understand there is no “extra” money as North Shore Rescue is a volunteer organization but considering the huge hourly expense for a helicopter (approximately $2,000/hour) even one hour’s rate would pay for many additional markers and even some small signage to be placed strategically on the trails.
One less helicopter rescue and the cost would be recovered.
A consideration for some assistance in financing these markers and signs could be to approach some of the large corporations and businesses in North Vancouver — possibly BlueShore
Financial, ICBC, MEC, other outdoor equipment retailers, accounting firms, Dick’s Lumber, car dealerships or bike shops. Many of these firms have a donation fund built into their budgets that “need” to be spent annually and therefore something that would benefit the community as a whole might be very appealing.
I think there would be volunteers who are familiar with the trails and could assist placing the markers including the BCMC and the Korean Hiking Club. Just a few more arrows, signs or markers may cut down on rescues and not stretch the volunteers to their limit.
Hikers and other outdoors people still need to be diligent about carrying the proper gear and being informed and there will always be a need to help injured hikers; however, I am hopeful some of my suggestions may assist in finding a solution to reduce the number of calls to North Shore Rescue.
We appreciate all their efforts as they are a greatly valued organization.
Michael Baia
North Vancouver
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