Avalanche danger high on B.C.'s South Coast mountains, forecaster warns

Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning for recreational users heading into mountainous terrain in the British Columbia South Coast region.

The snowpack in the area is highly unusual, with a buried weak layer not normally found in the warmer climate, according to the forecaster.

The warning said cold weather over the past month has created an active and dangerous weakness in the snowpack, especially on the North Shore mountains, which are easily accessible from Metro Vancouver.

Kate Devine, a forecaster with Avalanche Canad, said in a statement that the weak layer would be relatively easy for a person to trigger.

The warning took effect on Thursday and will last into the weekend, when Avalanche Canada will reassess the danger.

Devine said there have already been a number of close calls, and snowfall predicted for the weekend will bury the layer even deeper, increasing the risk.

"This added snow load will increase the depth and size of the avalanche, which could be deadly for anyone who is caught," she said.

The agency says backcountry users should also check their local avalanche forecasts and anyone heading into the area needs essential rescue gear, including a transceiver, probe and shovel.

On Tuesday, a snowboarder was rescued after being buried up to his waist by an avalanche in Cypress Provincial Park. It took rescue crews several hours to locate the man and bring him to safety.