Quebec survivor asks why authorities ignored SOS in B.C. backcountry

A Quebec man who got lost in the B.C. mountains with his wife says he shares some of the blame for her death with rescue officials who failed to respond to their SOS signals until nine days into their ordeal.

Gilles Blackburn, who returned to his home in the Montreal borough of Lasalle this week, spoke to reporters Tuesday.

The 51-year-old experienced skier said he regretted leaving matches and a cellphone behind when he and his wife, Marie-Josée Fortin, headed into the backcountry on Feb. 15 near the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C.

Fortin, 44, died of hypothermia eight days later, despite Blackburn's efforts to alert authorities by carving five separate SOS distress signals into the snow. Authorities found the couple two days after her death.

Looking back, Blackburn said it was his fault the couple made the decision to ski out of bounds, but he blames the RCMP and other rescue agencies for the fact their ordeal went on so long.

"I'm responsible for the 15th and the 16th [of February]. I'm not on the 17th or any time afterward. That was them," Blackburn is quoted telling the Globe and Mail on the paper's website Tuesday.

The RCMP has apologized for not starting a search earlier when SOS signals were spotted.

Husband gives details of days in wilderness

Blackburn told the Globe and the Montreal Gazette how the couple hiked more than 25 kilometres in deep snow to wooded areas where they could seek shelter from the cold.

Blackburn said he ate nothing over the course of the nine days, leaving his wife to eat the only food they had with them, two granola bars.

Blackburn is suffering from severe frostbite on his feet.

Funeral services for his wife will take place this weekend, he said.