Imagine you were left all alone to scrape yourself out of a full burial, with only your helmet, for almost an hour. You don't cry out for help as your silence ensures all effort is focused on digging out another. And in the aftermath you aren't allowed to question why you were even there at all....

In the weeks and months following the incident, numerous attempts were made to reach out to Sarah Hueniken Guiding and the executives of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) to discuss the decisions that led up to the avalanche burials.  

The ACMG is a non-regulated association of mountain professionals, with no procedures in place to deal with significant near-misses or fatality(s), At this time, guides have no obligation to report incidents, there is no investigation process, documentation is privileged and waivers signed by clients release guides from liability of negligence. In the spring of 2019, the following statement was issued to the membership from the ACMG executives: 

"The public often wants to hear a statement from the relevant governing body, our lawyers and insurance are concerned that the wrong information may lead to increased chance for a lawsuit… we are choosing to honour the wishes of the people most affected and have not, to date, released anything significant.... because the well-being of the guides involved trumped the "need to know" by anyone else. It's the best way to ensure that a story goes the way that works best for the association and its members."

This statement is incompatible with an association dedicated to providing 'public safety'.