Snowmobiler dies in avalanche
An avalanche in Clemina Creek, B.C., claimed the life of a snowmobiler on Dec. 30.聽
According to Valemount RCMP, police received a report on Dec. 30 of a snowmobiler who had been caught in an avalanche in the area of Clemina Creek, a popular backcountry recreational area about 20 kilometres southeast of Valemount.
Due to avalanche conditions, officials had to wait until the following day to get a helicopter crew from Jasper into the area to recover the body.
On Dec. 31 a deceased male was recovered. The identity of the victim hasn鈥檛 been released.
Following the incident, Avalanche Canada put out a warning to skiers and sledders that good intentions to help those in trouble may have tragic consequences.
Ilya Storm, forecast coordinator for Avalanche Canada, said preliminary analysis showed one rider was digging out their snowmobile, while two people were riding above, possibly聽to assist their friend, when聽one of those three people triggered the fatal avalanche.
鈥淎ll three were caught, one was on the surface, one partially buried, and the person who lost their life was fully buried,鈥� wrote Storm.
According to Avalanche Canada, 90 to 95 per cent of avalanches that kill people are triggered by the victim or someone in their group.
JNP campsite reservation opens Jan.10
On your mark, get set, register.
Parks Canada will open Jasper National Park鈥檚 (JNP) front country campsite reservation system at 8 a.m. on Jan. 10. The agency said this year with free admission to all national parks, it鈥檚 never been more important to book ahead and plan early. According to Parks Canada, nearly one million Discovery Passes have already been ordered.
JNP has more than 1,800 campsites, but Parks said for most of the summer these sites are booked solid. To deal with the predicted increase in visitation, the agency is opening many of Jasper鈥檚 campgrounds in early May and closing them later in September.
The agency is also placing two new facilities鈥攖he House and the Icehouse at the Palisades Centre鈥攆or rent on its reservation system.
Backcountry reservations begin on Jan. 25, 2017 at 8 a.m. Areas such as Maligne Lake, the Skyline trail and the Brazeau loop book up quickly so early reservations are a must, said Parks Canada. 聽
Reservations can be made at: www.reservations.pc.gc.ca.
Santas Anonymous has successful year
From a skate and train ride with Santa to donated gifts and countless volunteer hours, Ann Thomas, Santas Anonymous coordinator, said the organization had one of its most successful years to date.
鈥淔rom donations, gifts in kind and participation鈥攅verything was up this year,鈥� Thomas said.
However, families in need were also up this year. The charity organization donated to 64 families in need this year鈥�10 more than last year. 聽聽聽
