Search and rescue experts are sounding the alarm as the avalanche danger rating reaches hazardous levels in Vancouver Island's backcountry.
If you're planning on heading to the back country you're advised to be prepared, or stay away. A 40-centimetre snowfall earlier this week near Mount Washington pushed the avalanche rating to dangerous levels.
Jan Neuspiel with the Vancouver Island Avalanche Centre tells CTV Vancouver Island, "That continued movement of new snow by wind means that even though the snowfall has stopped, you still get loading of snow onto slopes that cause an avalanche problem,"
Alpine travel is not recommended when the avalanche danger rating is high. It means that human-triggered as well as naturally occurring avalanches are very likely.