It has come to the attention of Coquitlam Search and Rescue that a reality TV show called Curse of the Frozen Gold has recently begun airing on History Television Canada.
Curse of the Frozen Gold focuses on the search for gold at the northern end of Pitt Lake, which is a rugged and difficult to reach portion of Coquitlam SAR’s response area. The inaccessibility of the area raises the level of concern members of the team have for potential gold seekers venturing into the area.
While the team recognizes that Reality TV is created for entertainment purposes, Coquitlam SAR would like to remind the public that depiction of the terrain, access, and events in the upper Pitt River Valley may not match with the reality of travelling in this area.
For example, in 2011 three hikers became stranded in the DeBeck Creek area and, with no cell service available, activated a personal locator beacon to call for rescue. Despite knowing their location to within a few hundred metres, Coquitlam SAR was unable to access the area for 24 hours due to extreme weather and rugged terrain. Even after the hikers were located, a helicopter supported long line rescue team was required for their safe extraction.
Responses to the northern end of Pitt Lake are complicated by the remote location, communications challenges, and the length of time required to transport search crews and equipment to the area.
Coquitlam SAR would like to stress that anyone wishing to venture into the upper Pitt River valley must be exceptionally well prepared and possess solid navigation and survival skills. Search and rescue can take a lot longer than depicted on television.
- Debeck Creek Rescue 2011
- The Ten Essentials for Backcountry Travel
- Cell Phones and Rescue
- Search Areas – Pitt Lake
Was my first thought too when I learned about this “show”. Some of the filming was done in Lower Corbold Creek, which is a dangerous area at the best of times.
Hopefully not too many Darwin awards will be needed to be handed out to the “treasure seekers”.
I can totally appreciate what CSR are doing as there are too many who may want to venture in the upper Pitt that really should not be there. After spending the better part of three months on and off up there, it truly is gods country, but saying that it is also one of the nastiest, snarliest,dangerous most life threatening areas this province has to offer. Heed the warning as the area is so unpredictable weather and terrain wise. Enjoy the show, but please stay at home unless you are truly an expert outdoors person.
Hopefully any one foolish enough to go and not have the skills or supplies required; resulting in needing to be rescued will have to pay for the costs of the said rescue.
No point going into the upper Pitt any more anyways. Slumach’s Gold has been found. Watch episode 5. Thanks Lance.
This show is not on HGTV.
Noted, updated the article
[…] Gold Hopefully the word gets out there and there isn't an uptick in people getting lost. https://www.coquitlam-sar.bc.ca/2015/…e-frozen-gold/ "It has come to the attention of Coquitlam Search and Rescue that a reality TV show called […]
Hi,
I’m one of the Directors of the “Curse” series, and we didn’t emerge without a few cuts, scrapes, bruise, and some pretty close calls. I must credit the subjects we worked with who have intimate knowledge of the area, and the professional off- camera SAR advisory teams for helping us depict one of the most beautiful (and deadly) areas on this planet – and come back in one piece. It;s unforgiving country and I wouldn’t venture it alone. I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for watching!