Weed and wilderness don't mix, says North Shore Rescue

Rescue crews are pleading with the public not to use cannabis on the mountains after awebsitebegan advertising cannabis-enhancedadventure tours inVancouver.

Curtis Jones of North Shore Rescuesays he's concerned.

As B.C. countsdown to legalization onOct. 17,anew sense of legitimacymay lull outdoor adventure seekers into a false sense of security around marijuana use, said Jones in a blog post on NSR's website.

Guided or not, cannabis tours are dangerous

Jones refers to a poston a cannabis lifestyle website, entitled Outdoor Cannabis Adventure Tours are Coming to Vancouver. He calls theheadline "face-palm worthy" and says he expects to see more entrepreneurs promoting similar activities inOctober when pot becomes legal.

While the legality of such enterprises is still unclear, Jones says the safety concerns are not up for debate.

"The mountains are not the place to lose yourself in a drug-induced stupor, nor are they a place to experiment and learn your tolerance. The reality we face is that the wilderness is unforgiving, and it can take a long time for rescue crews to reach you."

'No safe way to experiment'

NSRsays it takes no stance on the consumption of legal cannabis, but it does not mince words when it comes to combining pot and wilderness activities.

"There is no safe way to experiment with drugs in the mountains," saidJones.

"The combination of mind-altering drugs and being in the wilderness is a terrible and dangerous idea."

Jones' blog post goes on to cite several examples of hikers requiring rescue services after using substances.

During one incident on Cypress, a snowshoer, who had consumed edible marijuana, had a seizureand search crews were called in to take him off the mountain.

Weed is not the only culprit

Safety concerns are not confined to cannabis use. Alcohol, acid, ecstasy and mushrooms have all been factors in rescue operations according toNSRlogs:

• On Cypress, a young hiker took acid while hiking, had a bad trip and required evacuation. Weatherdelayed the response by hours.
• Two individuals went snowshoe camping on Mount Seymour and consumed marijuana and ecstasy. One of the campers had a psychotic episode and stabbed his friend with a bowie knife.His friend returned the favour. Both snowshoers were arrested and taken to hospital.
• Near Lions Bay, a hikerconsumed mushrooms and marijuana,fell 60 metres into a ravine and had to be lifted out by helicopter.
• Two young people left a bar onBurnabyMountain, heavily intoxicated byalcohol. They both fell to their deaths.

Jones saysthe short list aboveis just "off the top of [his] head," and simply the tip of the iceberg. He is asking hikers to be prepared and sober when they venture outdoors.

"Be responsible in the mountainsand leave the weed at home."

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