Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, where an 800-year-old cedar was stolen last week.
I realize we’re not taking about the back alley of a Toronto gas station here. But even deep in the wilderness, miles from the nearest town, thieves will still ply their trade.
Conservationists were shocked last week after poachers swiped an 800-year-old cedar from the isolated Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. According to news reports, the thieves likely pulled off the heist through a two-part operation: cutting the tree down and then returning months later to drag it out of the bush. It would have been a massive feat, requiring heavy equipment and plenty of planning.
This incident serves as a reminder that criminal acts we might only expect in the city do happen in remote wilderness areas. Trailhead parking lots are the most obvious targets. While popular areas may be occasionally patrolled by parks staff, rangers are unlikely to visit lesser-known trails (especially if you’re visiting them outside the busy season) on a regular basis. That provides unscrupulous outdoorsmen with plenty of time to smash and jimmy their way into your car.
But let’s not overreact: Break ins are relatively rare and shouldn’t stop anyone from going on a multi-day backpacking trek. However, it still doesn’t hurt to take a few precautions before leaving your vehicle at a trailhead for a few days – just for that little extra peace of mind.
Watch for signs
Looks for traces of shattered glass on the ground that could have been the result of a busted car window. Beer cans or makeshift fire pits in the parking lot could also be an indication that the trailhead area is used as a party spot, and could put your vehicle at more risk. If you’re really worried about theft, do a bit of research. Small town cops are usually pretty friendly and even the guy at the closest gas station might know if break ins are a problem where you’re headed.
Secure it…or not
You can hide your wallet, bags and any other stuff that might entice thieves all you want, but that still leaves the trunk. In the wilderness, with little threat of discovery, someone has all the time he needs to beat up and pry open that lock. So one option to consider – especially if you drive a clunker – is to make sure there’s nothing valuable in the vehicle and then just keep the doors unlocked before your hike. A window isn’t much of a deterrent to a thief operating in the boonies anyway, so this might at least save you from having to fix busted glass or a ruined lock. If you’re worried that the thief might know how to hotwire your vehicle, pull a main fuse and take it with you. But you better make damn sure you don’t lose it.
Just don’t drive
There are a surprising number of shuttle services that take people to remote trails, including Vancouver Island’s isolated Cape Scott. I’ve also heard of taxis in some communities offering hikers discounts for longer trips to a trailhead. But if you’re in an area without cell service, you’ll be putting a lot of trust in that cabbie to honour the arranged pick up time.
