All back country excursions should start with telling someone where you’re going, says Visitor Safety Specialist Steve Blake, and for those visiting Jasper, Parks Canada offers a sign-up for anyone visiting the area. 

The back country sign-up is located at the visitor information centre and Parks staff are on hand to offer advice on proposed trips. Blake said Parks is happy to be the trusted person you inform before heading out on any adventure into Jasper’s wilderness. The sign up asks where you will be going, when you expect to be back, what equipment you will be taking, what kind of vehicle you’re driving, and details such as what colour your tent is if you’re planning an over-nighter. 

“If you don’t show up, we know where to start looking,” Blake said.

The first step in locating a person is to find the vehicle. If the vehicle is not there, Parks begins checking local hotels until the person is found. From there they may organize a search of the trail head or other areas. 

“If you don’t have a vehicle we have much less to go on,” Blake said. 

The program, which Blake says has been in place as long as he’s worked at Parks, has helped staff locate people many times. This summer about 70-75 people used the service and it continues to be used all year round. Of those that used the service, only one person forgot to sign back in this year, which can cause an unnecessary search. 

“Anyone who’s missing we start with an investigative layer,” Blake said. 

When the sign-up is done at the visitor centre, Blake said it’s a perfect opportunity for staff to educate hikers on what they should bring. 

“We really need people to understand that trip planning is a very important process,” he said. 

Staff at the information centre can provide tips on trails to use, equipment to carry and more. For a day trail like the Valley of the Five Lakes, Blake said a water bottle and a day pack will get you from start to finish just fine. But longer hikes, like climbing Mount Edith Cavell, will require overnight gear and proper maps. 

“Our national park philosophy is one of shared responsibility,” Blake said. 

Back country sign-ups are common in more northern national parks, and is sometimes mandatory before embarking on a trip. 

The back country use is switching gears right now, as less people are heading out, and the weather is more unpredictable. Blake said the recent beautiful weather has seen a lot of trail use, and skiing and other activities will start up once the snow falls. 

“The park does get used year round,” he said. 

Incidents requiring Parks Canada’s visitor safety specialists have slowed down, but there have been a few calls recently. Parks Canada staff from Jasper assisted Grand Cache RCMP with an incident recently, and two hikers were rescued after becoming stranded on Old Man Mountain. 

“We’re still seeing people out using the park,” Blake said. “It never goes away.”

Blake said the next concern Parks will face is the return of avalanche season.