B.C.'s North Shore Rescue says 2015 was busiest year to date

Volunteers withthe North Shore Rescue team will remember 2015 as one of the busiest years to date.

With less than aweek before year's end, the rescue service haslogged 136 calls for help.

"That's an incredible amount," said Mike Danks, the service's team leader.Normally the group responds to between 90 and100 calls per year

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Danks said part of the reason for spike wasthe warm summer weather, whichdrove more people into the back country this year.

"Anytime you have an increased amount of peoplegoing into the local hills, there is an increased chance that someone is going to get out of bounds," he said,

Tomorrow, big holiday crowds are expected on the North Shore's three ski resorts.Danks urged skiers and snowboardersto stay in bounds to avoid getting caught in anavalanche.

"You canget into steep gullies and creek beds, which are reallysusceptible to avalanches."

Danks urged people who do venture into the back country not to go alone, and to take an avalanche course andbring the necessary equipment.

"You need to have a companion with you that can rescue you if something does happen to you."