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Public Safety
Information Sources
Kananaskis Country, like other mountainous
areas, has many natural hazards. You are responsible for your own
safety, so plan ahead for your trip. Contact one of our visitor
information centres for basic travel counseling services such as
vehicle access camping, day hiking, mountain biking, and fishing.
However, if you require specific advice relating to hazardous activities
such as ice climbing, winter mountaineering, and mountain climbing
there may be a delay in obtaining information since a mountain safety
specialist may have to be contacted by the visitor centre staff.
Backcountry Travel
The backcountry areas of Kananaskis Country consist of rugged mountain
wilderness. You can register your trip at any visitor
centre and please remember to obtain a backcountry
camping permit
for overnight stays.
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Always go prepared
- Make certain that someone at home knows
your route and when you expect to be home.
- Contact a visitor centre before your trip
to find out about trail conditions and any hazards that you may
encounter.
- Take along a map and a basic survival kit
(flashlight, extra high energy food, water, warm clothing, first
aid kit, rain gear, and a tool kit if skiing).
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While on the trail:
- Make noise; shout out "Yo bear!"
to warn animals so that you do not surprise them.
- Stay on trails, do not shortcut or produce
braided trails in wet areas.Use bridges when ever possible. Streams
and rivers are very dangerous.Stay off frozen lakes and streams
in the early fall and late spring.
- Do not litter. Pack out garbage, even if
it is not yours.
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At your campsite:
- Camp in the established backcountry campgrounds
whenever possible.
- Store your food, garbage, cooking utensils
and clothing used while cooking, and toilet articles on pack racks,
in storage containers, or hanging high between two trees 100 metres
from your tent.
- Do not eat or cook near your tent and never
bring food or toilet articles into your tent.
- Dispose of wastewater in toilets or 100
metres away from camp.Do not burn waste food. Pack out all your
garbage.
- Use minimum
impact camping techniques.
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Rock and Ice Climbing
This activity is not recommended for the
novice climber unless you go with an experienced professional guide.
For the more experienced climber, make certain of your route and
go prepared. Obtain information from any visitor
centre.
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Water Sports
Glaciers feed all the lakes and rivers
in Kananaskis Country, so the water is extremely cold. Swimming
is not recommended in any Kananaskis Country lakes or stream. Life
preservers are required for all boaters. Anglers should always be
prepared for rapid weather changes and high winds that can cause
large waves.
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Wildlife Confrontations
Kananaskis Country has all the large Rocky
Mountain animals: cougars, wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, elk,
moose, deer, wolverines, bighorn sheep, mountain goats. These animals
can be dangerous. Even small animals such as red squirrels, ground
squirrels, and weasels can be dangerous when encountered under the
wrong circumstances. For more specific information contact our visitor
centres and read the various wildlife
safety brochures available at the centres. You can
also read the web page Wildlife
in Kananaskis Country
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Avalanche Danger
Visitor
information centres have current information dealing
with snow stability. Before leaving on a winter cross-country outing
in any backcountry area, always check these reports
for your own safety.
Search and Rescue
Kananaskis Country has one of the best
Mountain Rescue programs in North America. As good as these mountain
rescue specialists are, they are not a replacement for you being
prepared and taking responsibility for your own safety,
Please plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable outing.
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