Search and rescue groups are warning hikers to do their research 鈥 and not on social media 鈥 after dozens of would-be adventurers were rescued this past weekend.
鈥淪crolling through beautiful images of mountain peaks, trails, rivers and backcountry online isn鈥檛 considered trip planning,鈥 said the B.C. Search and Rescue Association in a Facebook post. 鈥淲e rarely head out for an outdoor adventure with the expectation that something will go wrong, and, most times, everything will go right. However, that one time that the unexpected happens鈥our investment in trip safety can mean the difference between a successful outcome and becoming a statistic.鈥
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AdventureSmart is reminding people to plan their travel route, know the terrain and conditions, check the weather and fill out a trip plan before heading out and that real-life conditions aren鈥檛 always as serene as what鈥檚 pictured online.
This Saturday and Sunday alone, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria responded to eight search and rescue calls and helped with two medevacs.
WATCH: AdventureSmart BC warns people to play safe in the outdoors