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THE BULLETIN PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 83, Issue 01 | www.dailybulletin.ca
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Avalanche warning extended Warning applies to most inland regions of BCâs backcountry and the Whistler/ Pemberton area FOR THE BULLETIN
PHOTO COURTESY NAOMI MUMENNY
Indoors or out, Kimberley loves a party. The annual Turkey Run Off last weekend saw 50 racers out to enjoy a gorgeous winter day with fresh snow on the trails. The bonfire kept everyone warm, and the hot dogs and hot chocolate were enjoyed by all. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Friends of Lois Creek to go toward maintenance of the trail system.
A heartfelt thanks to giving communities C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
What do you say when a community picks you up and carries you on its shoulders as you fight cancer? The only thing Chris Weitzel and wife Laurie can say is thank you from the bottom of their hearts to the good people of this area. âWe want to thank the communities of Kimberley and Cranbrook for pulling together and supporting us financially and spiritually,â Chris said. âThe community has been absolutely amazing,â Laurie added. âYou think you canât get through
another day, but thanks to the community, you can.â Chris Weitzel has been battling esophageal cancer. At one point he was down to 122 pounds and close to bedridden. After going the traditional route with treatment, he opted for holistic treatment in Mexico and he is feeling better, having gained some weight back. âThe treatment seems to be working,â he said. âItâs a low dose of chemo, but 95 per cent holistic. It keeps your body supported.â The Mexican treatment is not without significant cost and Kimberley and Cranbrook residents played a big role in allowing the
Weitzels to travel there for treatment. There have been two large fundraisers and many smaller ones, raising over $18,000. But itâs not just money. Itâs many, many small acts of kindness. âAll our yard work is being done, our firewood split,â Chris said. âPeople are making us food.â âAt one point Chris couldnât swallow,â Laurie said. âPeople were making him homemade organic soups. Everyone stepped right up, it didnât matter what it was.â âI got up one day and people were weeding my garden,â Chris said. âI didnât even know who
some of them were. Every time something happened, someone stepped up. Itâs tough to thank everyone so we just want to do the best we can by letting everyone know how fantastic our little communities really are.â Weitzel will be returning to Mexico for a follow up in the New Year. He truly believes the treatment he received there made the difference for him and he and Laurie are willing to share that part of their story with anyone who may have more questions about it. You can reach them at yourhealthyourway13@gmail. com
Dec. 30, 2014, Revelstoke, BC: The forecasters at Avalanche Canada have extended the special public avalanche warning first issued on Christmas Day. Like the existing warning, this updated warning applies to the North Rockies, Cariboos, North Columbia, South Columbia, Kootenay-Boundary, Purcells, South Rockies, Lizard and Flathead, and South Coast Inland regions, and has been extended to include the Sea-to-Sky region near Whistler and Pemberton. This warning applies to recreational backcountry users and is in effect until Sunday, January 4. âWe had expected the problem layer to calm down by now but itâs still easily triggered,â said Senior Avalanche Forecaster James Floyer. âWe have had numerous reports of skiers and snowmobilers involved in avalanches. Luckily there have been no fatalities, thanks to good self-rescue by the parties involved.â Avalanche Canada recommends backcountry users stay on simple, low-angle terrain; avoid large, steep slopes; minimize exposure to overhead hazard; avoid travelling where other users are on slopes above; and re-group in safe zones away from avalanche run-outs until conditions improve. If you do not have the training or experience to assess avalanche terrain and local conditions, itâs a good idea to recreate in areas where the avalanche risk is professionally managed. All backcountry users must be equipped with essential avalanche safety equipment. Everyone in the party needs an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel every day. Itâs equally important that everyone has avalanche training and has practiced using this equipment. If an avalanche occurs, the rescue is up to you. There is no time to go for help. For the avalanche forecast, check www. avalanche.ca. For further thoughts on conditions, refer to the Forecaster Blog at www.avalanche.ca/blogs.