General safety tips

Some areas of BC are still very remote. Keep the following in mind when planning a trip.

Cell phone coverage

While there is cell phone service in BC and Alberta towns and cities, it can be pretty limited on the mountainous highways.

The Icefields Parkway, for example, has very little coverage. There are no cell phone towers between Lake Louise and Jasper, so you will lose service about 10km north of Lake Louise and then only receive it again around Athabasca Falls (30km from Jasper).

Other places with limited coverage include Highway 1 between Revelstoke and Golden and the Yoho Valley Road in Yoho National Park (to see Takakkaw Falls). Maligne Lake and Moraine Lake also do not have signal.

For this reason, it is a good idea to share your trip plans with at least one person and check in with them from time to time.

This is especially important (essential!) if you are planning to explore beyond the main highways and communities.

Backcountry areas, such as those accessed by foot (more than 1km from the highway), generally do not have phone signal at all.

Backcountry safety tips

There are a few things you should know when travelling away from BC's 'frontcountry' areas (places accessible by vehicle). The more prepared you are, the safer you'll be.

• Always research first - difficulty of route, recent/forecasted weather, local wildlife, current conditions

• Then evaluate your experience - physical fitness, skills, equipment. Is the trip within your physical limits? What are the dangers/risks and are you prepared for them?

• Bring the 10 Essentials - These items help prevent small incidents turn into life threatening emergencies.

• Wear appropriate clothing and shoes - Consider the anticipated conditions and always prepare for the worst possible weather

• Create and share a trip plan with someone before leaving - this should include the details of where you're going and when you plan to be back

• Understand how to avoid the common causes of outdoor emergencies - stay on the trail/route, respect closures/restrictions, stay hydrated and snack regularly, take extra care around waterfalls/rivers etc

• Know what to do if things go wrong - do not panic! If no-one is in immediate danger - think STOP.

• Stop - sit down, have a drink of water, eat a snack, concentrate on your breathing

• Think - evaluate the problem(s) and your equipment/supplies

• Observe - look carefully at surroundings, consider options

• Plan - form a strategy and implement it

If you have signal (or even if you don't, it is worth trying), call 911 for emergencies. Search and Rescue is FREE in Canada.

It is much better to call for help earlier than later, before it becomes dark, weather conditions worsen or you get more lost.

As mentioned above, backcountry areas generally do not have phone signal. If you have a satellite communication device such as the Spot or InReach, bring it or try to buy a used one for your trip.

Two other items I'd highly recommend bringing into backcountry areas - a cell phone power bank and more than one type of navigation device (map app, paper map etc)

Read more outdoor safety advice on offtracktravel.ca.