From the mountain peaks to the valley floors, there are so many things to do when the weather gets warm, but safety should always be a top priority when heading out into the wilderness.
“The weather starts to get really nice in the valleys but it’s still very much winter in the mountains,” said Neil Van Dyke, the Search and Rescue Coordinator with the Department of Public Safety.
He says proper precautions are needed when you head up the trail.
“Definitely still need snow shoes if you’re headed up into the mountains,” said Van Dyke.
The other common issue, spring streams.
“Early in the day people have no trouble crossing a stream, but when they come back when it’s warm, the water levels really come up and it can be difficult crossing streams,” said Van Dyke.
Down in the valleys, the warm temperatures have created some dangerous sheets of ice.
“We’ve had reports across the state of fishermen who have gone through the ice,” said Game Warden, Major George Scribner.
He says although ice is never 100 percent safe, it’s especially dangerous with fluctuating temperatures.
“The wardens are reporting back in all across the state that the ice conditions on most of the lakes and pond are becoming unsafe if not completely unsafe,” said Scribner.
If you do fall through the ice, the most important rule is to remain calm.
“I would call for help immediately. Do your best to extract your self-using ice picks. Kick push and get yourself up and then roll away from the hole and get to land as soon as possible,” said Scribner.
Staying safe and enjoying all that this area has to offer this time of year
From the mountain peaks to the valley floors, there are so many things to do when the weather gets warm, but safety should always be a top priority when heading out into the wilderness.
“The weather starts to get really nice in the valleys but it’s still very much winter in the mountains,” said Neil Van Dyke, the Search and Rescue Coordinator with the Department of Public Safety.
He says proper precautions are needed when you head up the trail.
“Definitely still need snow shoes if you’re headed up into the mountains,” said Van Dyke.
The other common issue, spring streams.
“Early in the day people have no trouble crossing a stream, but when they come back when it’s warm, the water levels really come up and it can be difficult crossing streams,” said Van Dyke.
Down in the valleys, the warm temperatures have created some dangerous sheets of ice.
“We’ve had reports across the state of fishermen who have gone through the ice,” said Game Warden, Major George Scribner.
He says although ice is never 100 percent safe, it’s especially dangerous with fluctuating temperatures.
“The wardens are reporting back in all across the state that the ice conditions on most of the lakes and pond are becoming unsafe if not completely unsafe,” said Scribner.
If you do fall through the ice, the most important rule is to remain calm.
“I would call for help immediately. Do your best to extract your self-using ice picks. Kick push and get yourself up and then roll away from the hole and get to land as soon as possible,” said Scribner.
Staying safe and enjoying all that this area has to offer this time of year
