Body of lone hiker found on Friday ATTENTION HIKERS. The 4,200 volunteers who serve on 100 search and rescue teams all over the province have a mes- sage for you: Never hike alone. By Kate Zimmerman News Reporter A hiker died above the Seymour River just last week. She hud sct off by herself. Kim Sheldona Wilhelmson, 25, of New Westminster, was reported missing late Thursday and was found on a ledge above the river Friday. She had been hiking about 360 metres (1.200 ft.) beyond the end of Riverside Drive when she fell over a cliff and hit the ledge. Last year alone in B.C., 940 peo- ple required help from search and rescue teams. Of those, 864 were found alive, 38 were found dead, and 38 remain missing. The year saw a 6.5% increase over the previous fis- cal year in the number of search and rescue »perations conducted, To date this year on the North Store. 38 people have required the Wednesday, July 20, 1994 - North Shore News - 3 hike with safety NEWS photo Cindy Goodman DAVE BREWER, of the North Shore Search and Rescue team, was at Lynn Headwaters on Sunday to talk to people about responsible hiking. Danielle Belding, 5, and James Belding, 7, pick up a few tips. search and rescue assistance of over 300 volunteers. Four hikers have been injured and one has died. “We can’t have this happening any more,” said Dave Brewer, chair- man of the search and rescue adviso- ry commitice for the province of BC. . ‘We've got to do something.” The mountains of the North Shore are so tantaiizingly close to civilization that they fool hikers into thinking they can’t get into trouble there. That's Brewer’s theory. He was one of several membcrs of the North Shore Search gnu Rescue team who were at Lynn Headwaters Park for three hours Sunday to spread the word about tak- ing precautions when hiking, “It's a very serious problem we have, and this is one way we have of tackling it — education,” said Brewer. For example, it’s crucial that before icaving on a trip, hikers leave a detailed itinerary with reliable friends or relatives who will know they should phone police if the hik- ers are late in returning. “So many people go out there and they haven’t told anyone where they're going,” said Brewer. When they have feft the informa- tion with someone, it is often insuffi- cient. A recent group of missing hik- ers had only told their respective par- ents that they were going to the North Shore to look at waterfalls. Others simply leave the informa- tion that they are visiting one particu- lar mountain, without giving any indication of which trail they intend to take. Before beginning a hike, people ave advised to fill out a form which describes cach member of the party. The information can be left with the same friends or relatives. The Provincial Emergency Program has prepared such forms. They are available at sporting goods stores and will soon be offered at banks and credit unions. North Shore Search and Rescue has also prepared a list of 10 safety tips and [0 essen- tials (available at the Emergency Program Office, 165 E. {Sth St.) to carry ina day-pack. Brewer said his group has asked outdoor supply stores 10 assemble the 10 essentials so that hikers will know what they look like and realize they do not require a large pack. Altogether the contents weigh less than nine kilograms (20 Jbs.) and they should include a second pair of glasses for people who are visually impaired, and prescription medicine for people who rely on medication. The most coramon cause of acci- dents, said Brewer, is that hikers Montroyal connector controversy brews THERE IS no middle ground in the debate that rages around plans for a Montroyal connector. NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRICT COUNCIL by Martin Millerchip Two successive meetings of North Vancouver District Council have been filled to overflowing by residents with strongly held views either for or against the proposal. According to ;lanning staff, extending Montroyal Boulevara east to Lonsdale Avenue and Rockland Road has been debated and studied since the 1950s when it was first shown in the Five Year Street Plan of 1959. The present Official Community Plan (OCP) and the 1988 North Lonsdale/Delbrook plan states: “The existing and presently pianned devel- opment and population do not warrant construc- tion of Montroyal through to Lonsdale. The right- of-way, however, shall be retained to protect long-term redevelopment possibilities.” A new North Lonsdale/Delbrook OCP will receive a public hearing in September and staff say it wil! have to contain a clear policy statement on the Montroyal extension “that both responds to traffic needs and provides stability for the neigh- borhood.” Debate at a public information meeting in October 1993 centred almost exclusively on the issue. Both sides continued to generate petitions, form letters and personal initiatives for months afterwards. The debate involved almost 3,000 residents of CALL US: 933-2208 the district. Despite widely differing viewpoints some of the residents say they would rather have any deci- sion, even one they don’t like. than any more indecision. “We've been trying to deal with this issue for 20 bloody years. It’s unbelievable,” said Norman Smith at the June 27 council meeting. A large contingent of residents attended the June 27 meeting wearing red postal stickers that said “Rush. Urgent” supporting a move to get plans for the connector included in the district’s 1995 capital budget deliberations. A suggestion by Mayor Murray Dykeman that the issue be deferred for 100 days by council was greeted with cries of “Get a job” by the emotional gallery. On July 11 the same gallery was again filled by residents mostly opposed to the extension and furious about the decision taken at the previous meeting. “The fix is in. The cart is before the horse,” charged A. W. Wilson, speculating that potential real estate development was the reason behind a push for the connector. Another resident recounted the tragic details of a traffic accident in the area and asked, “There will be a price for the Montroyaf connector, but the question is how high will it be and who will pay it?” Several counci] members reacted strongly to suggestions that council had acted undemocrati- cally or insincerely. “L respect your sincerity, recognize your emo- tion and I don’t expect to change anyone’s mind on this issue,” said Coun, Pat Monroe, asking for the same consideration. “Concerns for costs und safety have to be addressed,” said Monroe, who reiterated that nothing would be decided by council in advance of the OCP hearing in September. Coun, Jim Cuthbert suggested that an updated technical and socio-economic review of the road link only be undertaken after completion of the Upper Levels Highway interchange at Westview Drive. ; The interchange project was approved by the provincial government earlier this month and is scheduled to be completed by 1998. “Many people on both sides of the issue believe the lack of the Westview interchange is the cause of some of the upper slopes traffic,” said Cuthbert. He also pointed out that a cost of anywhere between $1.5 and $3 million for the Montroyal connector could affect the planning of other major capital projects such as the Parkgate recreation centre and the new RCMP building for North Vancouver. “Clearly it is in the district’s interests to delay this project and take the benefit of the studies,” concluded Cuthbert. But the majority of council preferred a timetable that would allow the public to have their say at the OCP public hearing and an updated staff report in time for 1995 budget deliberations. Coun. Don Bell asked for the updated staff report after pointing out that “the issue has almost been studied to death over the last 20 years.” Bell pointed out that while he was “philosophi- cally” in favor of the connector, there could be dollar costs that would cause him to vote against the road link at this time. District director of development Richard Plunkett told council that staff would bring back a report to the July 25 council meeting with time- frames and costs of a new study “and what it would take to accomplish it in 1994." THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you think the provincial school year is too short? 10 ESSENTIALS NORTH SHORE Rescue ’ recommends that hikers take decide when they are lost to follow a creek down the mountain, thinking it will lead to the ocean. That route is often marked by natural drainage systems which include thick bush, cliffs and waterfalls which can be treacherous to walkers and also impede the search effort. Brewer noted that as hikers become panicked and tired, they lose coordination and tend to slip and fall. Hikers are also prone to hypothermia when their sweat cools as night descends, which is why it is imnpor- tant to carry extra clothes for warmth. it would be unrealistic to deny hikers the temptation of the North Shore mountains, Brewer said. “What we can change is their thought process.” To that end, the message the searcli and rescue teams offer is sirn- ple. “Please have a great time,” said Brewer, “but be prepared.” PTR OREN IE index @ A Day in Court @ Budget Beaters. 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