UPDATE: Snow is covering up thin ice

Mystery solved!

Saturday afternoon, at 3:23, a helicopter flew overhead. It was an Ornge Rescue machine. It gives me the woolies. Happily, some dude went through the ice on a creek and thankfully survived the event. The story, and more photos are here. There are lots of stories of snow machines going through the ice these days.

Thanks to our hard-working crews

Thank you to all those who are playing safely

Know the dangers of roads, ice and snow

I'm glad we're near the end of winter. We had a couple inches of snow Wednesday AND Thursday night.
A recent driving incident report from our OPP states that most car incidents (397)  involve men, ages 25 to 34 years old.

Young Ontario men most likely to make fatal driving errors: OPP

Police release statistics that paint picture of death on provincial roads

There have been more than 3,500 deaths on Ontario roads in the last 10 years, and men between the ages of 25 and 34 are most at risk. While the Ontario Provincial Police regularly publishes data on the fatal collisions it investigates, for the first time police have shed light on those who have died as well as those whose actions were factors in their deaths. The 10-year data reveals that twice as many males (2,358) have died in traffic collisions as females (1,146) from 2005 to 2014.  According to police, of those, 310 of the men were drivers and 60 were passengers.

 Now, the danger out there is the melting ice, as well. People can take it for granted. Preserving life is about predicting risks, and taking precautions. We know that teens brains don't let them think twice. This is a sad state of affairs.

Parents of Shawn Lalonde Laframboise 
living near river says it is their son who is the missing 
divers are searching.

Calgary Sun Warmer weather may increase avalanche death toll into spring, said Avalanche Canada Calgary Sun And while the number of deaths this avalanche season is below average, ... “It's three snowmobilers, three backcountry skiers and two ice climbers, ...

From the OPP and Red Cross Know the dangers of ice  

It's that time of year! The ice fishing huts are coming off of the ice, although this week has been colder.

High marking, sledding, skiing, avalanche, ATV deaths

The statistics bear us out. Whether you are on a snowmobiles, skiing, high marking, or on an ATV, stay on the trails, especially in recent years with Climate Change causing thaws, and extreme conditions.

• More than 5,600 Canadians seriously injured every year from winter ...
• Avalanches kill more snowmobilers than skiers - Canada
• Snowmobile-related deaths in Ontario: a 5-year review - Canadian ...

OPP remind snowmobilers about safety after five fatalities this season 2013/4- Lake 88

All five of the fatalities took place on roads and the OPP is reminding snowmobilers to always travel at speeds which take into consideration not only their ability as an operator, but also the weather and surface conditions in the areas in which they are travelling.

I must believe these to be self-inflicted deaths. People who love that adrenalin rush over and above  their love for self, family, and friends cause much grief.

We begin with Shumacher: Family and friends at bedside of comatose Michael Shumacher, who chose to leave the marked trail, hits his head on a rock, and is currently in a coma.
Then we have avalanche deaths. High marking is a challenge to go as high as you can.
This is the way they celebrate speed and power. This is the price their families will pay. They call it Sled Shot. Boys and their toys...   can see the chaos, the machines, the speed.


Sledding at the speed of suicide

ATV accidents or incidents?

Reported Injuries: 7 | Deaths: 5
April 19/2010

Avalanche kills, highmarking continues

Three Albertans killed in BC avalanche  
BC avalanche recovers 3 bodies

And still they die. These guys were highmarking. Four were buried, only one lived to tell the tale.

So sad.


Police said the incident happened around 5 p.m. on Mount Gerald, when two men were snowmobiling with their sons in the Hope River backcountry, 70 kilometres west of Golden (A on map).

Alberta town mourning three killed in BC avalanche


Family and friends in central Alberta are grieving the loss of three snowmobilers who died in an avalanche in BC on the weekend. 
There were 24 deaths in 2008.

Avalanche deaths hold steady, despite a big rise in backwoods ...

24 Jan 2011

Snowmobile deaths are on the increase, however, says the article. Aren't these guys on sleds?!

Avalanche kills skier at Kokanee Glacier park

Rescuers busy as three deadly snow slides hit B.C. and Alberta during weekend (Jan. 17, 2011)

Interactive Map: Recent avalanche deaths in British Columbia(2010) 

Created on Mar 13, 2010 - Updated Mar 21, 2010

The video below shows a snowmobiler climbing a steep face in the Monashee Mountains near Valemount, B.C. The snowmobiler climbs past the high marks left by previous riders. Just after the machine reaches the top of its curve, the slope fractures and rider and machine are carried down in a very large avalanche. stated the Canadian Avalanche Centre press release.