Avalanche fear closes Grouse Mountain

Hikers are being warned to stay away from Grouse Mountain until the weather improves.

The avalanche risk on the mountain in North Vancouver is even higher now than when a snow slide swept an Ontario man to his death Wednesday. The search for his body has been called off because of fears of further slides.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District has stationed an employee at the base of the Grouse Grind Trail to turn away hikers who might otherwise jump police ropes and barricades that have been set up at access points.

Hikers who ignore the warnings do so at their own risk because the volunteer North Shore Search and Rescue team says it won't provide help if hikers encounter difficulties.