Happy ending for
first Shames rescue

by Betty Barton

Shames Mountain ski area staff
had cause for concern until groom-
' ing machine operator Richard
Stone was found safe outside the
ski area boundary in the carly
morning hours of Jan. 2.

When the final sweep of the
mountain was done at the end of
the day on Jan. 1, all skiers and
staff were accounted for except
Stone. The lift operator whom
Stone had notified of his plan to
ski the back bowl of the mountain
assumed he was back because
there were skis in his truck.
Shames staff implemented two
searches within the ski area bound-
ary, and by 4:30 p.m., it was deter-
mined that Stone was outside the
ski area boundary.

Emergency procedures were
quickly implemented. The pro
patroliers were called out, the
RCMP notified, medevac aircraft
and search and rescue personnel
were on stand-by, and then a phy-
sical search of the back bowl
began.

The searchers followed ski tracks
that went beyond the ski-out back
to the T-bar and down the valley
following a creek, At 1:30 the
following morning, Stone was
found burrowed in a snow cave
that he had lined with pine
branches for warmth. He was cold
and wet, with minor frostbite on
his toes, and mild hypothermia.

He had unknowingly skied over
the creck bed on about 4 meters of
snow which collapsed under him.
In the fall, one ski broke. Once
he’d dug himself out, he began to
walk back towards the T-bar, but
the deep snow, the broken ski and
the cold made it impossible. He
wisely decided to make a shelter.
and wait for rescue. 7
Shames project manager. Mar
Grabowski and general manager
Scott Siemens found Stone and
skied him back.

Siemens commends the quick
work of all the emergency person-
ne] involved. He said, "It was good
to sce that the procedures were
followed and the operation fan
well."

Siemens felt this incident brings
to the forefront the need to remind

Down by
the River —

continued from page A7

a different matter altogether.

The Christmas CounterAttack
statistics issued last Friday by the
RCMP show an alarming rise in
drunk driving incidents over the
holiday season. We're left to
wonder how many of those
caught — and how many who
weren't caught — resorted to
driving because they were denied
any reasonable alternative.

The next time there is a viable
proposal to establish a second
taxi company in the Terrace-
Thornhill area, we believe it
should receive the support of the
city, the RCMP, and anyone else
concemed with public safety and
good consumer service.

— Michael Keily

skiers that skiing out-of-bounds is
not to be taken lightly. He en-
courages sklers to be prepared. He
advises that only strong, competent
skiers should ski out-of-bounds
with a friend, tell someone on the
mountain their destination, carry
touring gear including ‘skins’ for
walking uphill on the snow, know
the terrain, and carry a compass,
candles (for warmth) and food.

All the out-of-bounds areas on
Shames are clearly marked with
boundary signs ("Ski area bound-
ary. Not patrolled beyond this
point.") and fences designating the
boundary. If skiers insist on skiing
outside the ski area boundaries,
they must also be aware that, in
the event of a search being
required, the missing person is
subject to charges for the full cost
of the labour and resources of the
rescue operation. |

Police disturbed by ©
CounterAttack stats

TERRACE — Local drivers are
off to a grim start for 1991.

On New Year’s Eve alone from
midnight to 5:30 a.m. three
impaired driving charges were laid
by Terrace RCMP. Cpl. Gary
Moritz stated in a press release,
"The bottom line is that Temace
drivers got off to a bad start for
1991 and the RCMP are hoping
this is not-going to be a trend for
the year."

During the CounterAttack cam-
paign period from Dec. 8 to Jan. 3
local police laid 19 impaired dtiv-

ing charges. Eleven people were |

injured in seven collisions, there

were an additional 72 non-injury

collisions, and four of the acci-

dents involved liquor. There were

no fatalities, but Motor Vehicle
Act violation charges were meted
out against 537 drivers, nearly one
in every five of 2,776 vehicles
checked in roadblocks.

y ee . ra es er a
Terrace Review — Wednesday, January 9, 1991 Al3

Winners of the Chamber of Commerce/Northwest Real Eetate Board Christmas lights contest
received their prizes last week. Above (from left) are Pat Allen, best original theme, Danielle Ritchie
(left foreground) representing the Howard Ritchie home, best home; Linda Compton of the Terrace
and District Credit Union, best commercial window, Heather Graydon of Heather's Balloons, best
retail store; Don Croft of the Liquour Control Board, best service store; and Myron Head
representing McRae Crescent residents, best street. Missing from the picture is a representative
of Skeena Mall who won the bast shopping block category.

Cst. Jane Andrew said there were
10 impaired drivers charged during
the previous year’s campaign, but ime “2
she adds that enforcementhas been [ie oa
stepped up this year. Hand-held ‘(aRaames 1 _ S +’

breath-testing units were used this | agama |.” ee , 28 Vi

year, and she said on nearly every Response to the Terrace Legion’s Remembrance Day essay,
shift there is at least one member poster and poem contest was the best ever this year, The
on the road carrying one of the winners, shown above. with. outgoing Legion president Peter
_ Crompton; will have their work entered In the zone contest.

}
i
|
I

ce Review

Big issues, local perspective |

“Thornhill Pub
&

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

—'

Owl’s Nest Kitchen
—_ Ye

POOL TOURNEY - Every Sat.
1:00 p.m. Cash Prizes !1!

‘Ss FROM TOLSEC

by Ed Graydon

With the recent extremely cold weather driving conditions have
been poor at best. It is important to be prepared for any emergency
that you may find yourself or another motorist caught in.

We have compiled a list of items - A Driver’s Emergency Kit -
to keep year round in your vehicle.
es - Fire extinguisher
- Flares or reflectors
- Heavy duty flashlight
, and spare batteries
: ~ Jumper cables

- Set of screwdrivers

~ Utility pliers

- Adjustable wrench

- 4 litre plastic container
- Waterproof matches

2587 Thornhill St.

_ 688-8404

_——4

Winter driving Is hazardous but by reducing your
speed and remembering that It will take longer to

stop on Icy roads you'll have no problem getting |
around,