Safety website launched for northern travellers

Search and rescue groups and the RCMP have created a website for backcountry tourists preparing for their trips to Canada's three northern territories, in the hopes of cutting down on the number of lost travellers.

The police force and volunteer search organizations have teamed up with tourism groups in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut to launch the site, northernsar.ca, with resources to help wilderness hikers, campers, paddlers and other tourists fill out travel safety plans in advance of their trips.

Writing out a plan would make it easier for police and searchers to locate travellers who get lost in the northern backcountry.

"It would save a huge amount of time," Whitehorse RCMP Sgt. Don Rogers told CBC News. "One of the big issues that we have is not knowing where people have gone, other than a general location."

Rogers said tourists can download a template for the travel plan of their choice — options include overnight and day trips — fill them out, then register with police, parks officials and tourist agencies before they embark on their journeys.

Travellers can also leave the completed form in their car or email it to an emergency contact person who can notify the authorities if something happens.

The new website also has maps and weather information for the three territories, allowing tourists to better plan their trips.

"Anything that allows the public to educate themselves prior to a trip about safety, and be able to make some plans — simple things, day plans, or even checking the weather — will assist us in helping make sure that they are able to enjoy their time up here," Rogers said.

In the Yukon, search and rescue organizations were called out for nearly 20 searches last year alone.