BC AdventureSmart trail safety videos for 8 BC Parks trails

Guest blog by Sandra Riches, BC AdventureSmart Executive Director

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Hiking season is almost here, and B.C. loves to hike! BC AdventureSmart wants you to get informed, be prepared and #HikeSmart.

The BC AdventureSmart trail-specific videos, launched April 25 – May 18, 2022, focus on the 11 trails in B.C. with the highest number of search and rescue (SAR) incidents. Eight of the trails are located within BC Parks. These videos are in-depth visual planning resources helping hikers make informed decisions.

These 11 trails are not necessarily the most technical trails, but their popularity results in a high number of SAR calls each year. You can find YouTube videos below for these trails: Stawamus Chief, Juan de Fuca, Eagle Bluffs, Mount Seymour, Golden Ears summit, Mount Albert Edward, Howe Sound Crest Trail, and Black Tusk.

These trails offer stunning views, opportunities for both physical and mental wellness, in addition to some challenges that can be assessed and managed successfully by following AdventureSmarts 3 Ts: Trip planning, Training, and Taking the essentials.

The videos are helpful for all hikers to watch, to learn from and apply the pre-hike trip planning steps suggested, consider the key decisions points to make on the trail, and in case of an emergency, follow the steps necessary to call for help. Hikers who have low to moderate hiking experience, as well as visitors to B.C. can benefit greatly from these videos.

The BC AdventureSmart videos:

• Provide viewers with an in-depth visual planning resource,
• Offer regional and trail-specific information on terrain, facilities, weather, hiking times and required skills,
• Give a visual representation of the trail while obtaining trail specific safety information,
• Help people to make informed decisions about their trip,
• Allow viewers to better understand the trail they are planning on hiking before they embark,
• Allow hikers to proactively make the decision whether this trail is suitable for them,
• Offer hikers with resourceful, relatable, and reliable outdoor education.

By watching the BC AdventureSmart trail-specific safety videos, applying the best practices for outdoor safety, and adopting AdventureSmart’s S3 Ts (trip plan, train, take essentials), you’ll be on the right path before you even hit the trails!

You’ll also be helping the 3,000 B.C. SAR volunteers, who are on the 79 BC SAR groups that respond to 1,900 SAR incidents annually in our province.

Check out the videos before your next hike, plan ahead, and #HikeSmart

This project was endorsed and supported by the BC Search and Rescue Association, with partnership collaboration from BC Parks, Metro Vancouver, RCMP-North Vancouver, Avalanche Canada, Emergency Management BC, regional SAR members and many volunteers.