Outdoor enthusiasts urged to stay out of B.C.'s backcountry

The leader of North Shore Search and Rescue is pleading with people to stay out of the backcountry.

Tim Jones says falling snow and a high avalanche rating mean even people well-trained for the outdoors are at risk.

"The backcountry is not safe," he said.

Jones expects the backcountry to become even more dangerous as more snow and wind move in this winter.

"There's going to be times and periods where it'll probably be extreme," he said.

And when adventurers, experienced or not, do venture into the wild and need help, Jones has to make a tough call on whether to send his team in.

"We're not in the business of killing our members," he said.

"This is not a military campaign where it's 'Next!' You don't do that sort of stuff. You've got volunteer search and rescue members that you cannot put overly at risk in these situations."

Anyone going into the hills is asked to stay in bounds.

"During these storm cycles, people really need to stay out of the backcountry," Jones said. "That's the message we want to get out.  It doesn't matter how experienced you are, you're just not going to win."