A v da yy. ee Castlegar News March 29, 1987 Avalanche prediction an inexact science By GREG JOYCE Canadian Press VANCOUVER (CP) — ex perts say avalanche predic tion is an inexact science. And snow tests and regul- ations in the heli-skiing in- dustry are still left primarily to the operators who chal lenge the giant peaks. Peter » who stud ies slides for the National Research Council, said reg. ulation of the industry by a central body of government agency would be difficult. “It has to be self-regulat- ing,” Schaerer said Tuesday. “The area is too big to be supervised by one body.” Heli-ski operators {fi Brit- ish Columbia belong to the B.C. Association of Heli-Ski Operators and number about a dozen, The operators were again in the spotlight following the deaths Monday afternoon of seven heli-skiers in the maj estic Cariboo Range of moun tains in eastern B.C. “It's between an art and a science, but it’s more of an art,” explained Schaerer, who was caught once in an avalanche but managed to “swim” to the surface. Heli-ski operators obtain licences to operate on Crown lands in B.C. from the Lands and Forests Ministry, which also sets out guidelines in its mechanized ski guide policy. Ministry spokesman Frank Edgell said the policy covers such things as eligibility for licences, regulations. for guides and their qualifica tions, and liability and wai- vers. Edgell said the industry, through its association, sets policies and regulations “with the support” of the govern ment. The ministry confers about twice a year with the oper Cari herds healthy OTTAWA (CP) The fallout from April's nuclear disaster at a Ukrainian re- actor complex has had no worrisome effect on Can. adian caribou herds, the Health Department said. There was concern about the use of caribou as a food source, primarily by north ern residents, because the animals feed mainly on lichen. The plant has a unique ability to absorb and store radiation, and health officials were worried caribou might pass that radiation on to people who eat the animals. But studies by the federal and territorial governments show the radioactive fallout which resulted from the ex plosion and fire at Chernobyl] has not made Canadian car ibou a hazardous source of food, a department state ment says. HAPPY ADS Use HAPPY ADS to extend bir thday, wedding or anniver ators,.who are supposed to tell the{)government about any opeyations that may be deviating’ from the associa- tion's uidelines. Edgell couldn't recall any companies that had been re- ported, But he said he didn’t think it would help to have the government more involved in regulating helicopter skiing. “There's nothing better than competition,” Edgell said, “They know each other's qualifications. What we're doing is the best way.” Mark Kingsbury of Can- adian Mountain Holidays of Banff, Alta. ‘the largest operator in terms of custom- ers, said most operators do not carry liability insurance but require all skiers to sign liability waivers. Operators stopped buying liability insurance after it became either too expansive or was unavailable altoge- ther, he said. This is the second year skiers have been required to sign waiver forms, King- sbury said. He said his com- pany has lost 10 skiers in 22 years. NOT RISK-FREE Kingsbury agreed that the government should not be more involved in regulating heli-skiing. A company won't risk in- jury or death to skiers “if it wants to survive and stay in business,” he said. “I havea WANTED CLEAN COTTON RAGS Sy. "Castles News 197 Columbia Ave., Castlegar hard time seeing the day when it will be risk-free.” Schaerer said one problem heli-ski operators face is, guides who lack adequate’ training. “They are trained, but they could do rhe said. “The companies’ problem is enforeing the rules. of snow observation and qualifica- tion.” Large oeprations might have as many as four groups, with four guides, skiing out of one helicopter. Schaerer said the lead guide is well trained, but some of the other guides might not be as knowledgable in recognizing a potential hazard. There are courses. for people involved in avalanche control conducted under the auspices of the National Re- search Council and the Cana- dian Avalanche Association. Guides, ski patrollers and Highways Ministry avalan- che experts are among those who take the courses. But testing slopes still in- volves “putting a shovel down into the ground and examining each layer of snow to check for weaknesses,” Schaerer said. While exact totals are difficult to find, heli-skiing has claimed between 20 and 25 lives since it started. The worst accident prior to Mon- day's oceurred Feb. 10, 1979 near Golden when seven died. FB, elie: bephny ica IRR. mephivrs AUTOMOTIVE DIRECTORY DEA : Bear Creek Road. Tra it Auto Body Repaii 425 Columbia, Castlegar BR. ects bighaey, re IB. ese WANETA PLAZA TOYOTA CENTRAL KOOTENAY IMPORTS irs and Renicis 365-2912 TELEF Rocky View Tax & Bookkeeping Service * Small Business & Contractors * Personal * Farm-Logging No. 06-1545 Columbie Avenue Castlegar, 8.C. VIN 131 IRENE MORTIMER 965-2352 MoROSO, MARKIN & BLAIN CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANTS 241 Columbia Ave. Castlegar Ph. 365-7287 Brian L. 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