Mounties, searchers blame lost skiers for their quandary

What!? Somebody being held accountable for their actions? In this day and age? That can't be possible! Can it?

I can see all points of view.
Yes, they went out of bounds, yes a stupid mistake. Not telling them where they were going, stupid mistake. They tried to solve it by stamping SOS in the snow. That was SEEN. From that point on, they should have been rescued THAT day. Not start a search 4 days later. I would sue too.

Frankly, if no one knows that anyone is missing (because the idiots didn't bather telling anyone they were going out of bounds) then I'm not surprised that authorities thought someone was screwing around. Resources are limited, and it is unlikely they will prosecute what they deem as a practical joke as opposed to a reported missing person case.

I sympathise with the loss of his wife, but I hope they lose the lawsuit.

Yeah, you got a point there... They SOS may have been considered old... Or fake...

I think they will lose it, but I would have tried too. Their perspective is a little different from ours...

I agree gunnair. I feel for the guy but he should have known better.

He's an experienced guy that went well out of bounds, told nobody and made nil preparations to protect himself and his wife.

The other story is that many volunteer rescue groups that operate in this area and other parts of Canada are now re-evaluating whether they carry on doing their good work because of the fear of civil litigation from dumb-asses like this guy.

Agreed. In my grief and desperation, I might do the same.

I think they sorted that out with the insurance companies last year.

I sympathize with this man but the fact is they did everything, big and small, totally wrong and stamping an SOS in the snow and then leaving doesn't just doesn't get you out of it. Ignorance is a hard word but part of being an adult is admitting when you are out of your element. When you are anywhere in Canada and you're "in The Bush" it is a hostile environment long before anyone starts looking for you. There is no room for error. If you're an experienced hiker, even a novice one, you know that there's no room for error. A simple rolled ankle could mean your life if no one knows you're out there. Even a broken bone with assumed rescue on the way could mean an amputation. Out of bounds is out of bounds of civilization. That sounds dramatic but it's 100% true and our elements make it every dangerous as the Amazon jungle or any other hostile environ.

Didn't tell anyone. Should've been at least peripherally aware of their own inexperience. Did not bring food. Went into the unknown (to them) without a map. Without a simple GPS. No matches. No lighter. No suitable clothes. Look you could follow that recipe anywhere on Earth and end up the same way.
Yes he stamped an SOS in the snow. Then he left. What was the point there? If you were trapped on an island would you start a signal bonfire then move to the other side of the island?

I believe this man just doesn't want to accept responsibility and let's cut him a little slack there since accepting that responsibility would be accepting responsibility for his wifes death.

The RCMP waited long enough, with this announcement so that the general public is not mad about them ignoring a distress signal and someone in trouble. It Is not their job to say someone is stupid so were not going to help them....

There was deftly some miscommunication on everyone's part. But I would always like to think they they would error on the safe side and check out every distress signal..... but as always the RCMP reputation must come first and be protected at all costs............

This is a very interesting case with huge ramifications, depending on how the verdict goes for not only search and rescue but paramedics, fire rescue and police as well. I hope the judge understands this and doesn't let sympathy cloud their judgment.

Yep digger. It was all the cops fault.

As I said before there was a miscommunication...But the RCMP cannot have it both ways....you cannot put your members out there to serve the public then pick and choose who you're going to help...... because in your eyes they did something to deserve to be in the position they are in..... Something as important as a distress signal should never be ignored..... and making excuses and blaming the people who were in trouble is a very familiar pattern with the RCMP...............

Do you ever have anything good to say about the cops? Is there no incident that can't be blamed on the cops?

Merry Christmas diggerdick.