Search and rescue crews in North Vancouver have been busy, as two separate visitors from overseas needed rescuing after getting in trouble in the local backcountry.
North Shore Rescue (NSR) took to Facebook, detailing their work to help the two stranded hikers.
According to NSR, the first hiker was stranded on Thursday night while attempting to trek Rector Peak, in the Mount Seymour backcountry.
“This individual, a visitor from overseas, had seen a route noted on an online hiking app and decided to try it. Unfortunately, he seriously underestimated the difficulty of what was required – an unofficial trail that is essentially full mountaineering conditions in the current season. After 8 or so hours of hiking, he was tired, soaked, hypothermic, and the sun was setting. Very fortunately, he was able to get a 911 call out for help,” NSR shared on Friday.
In a stroke of luck, NSR’s flight crew responded with Talon Helicopters quickly, as they were training nearby.
“The helicopter was able to hover a rescue crew on the top of Rector, who then made their way to the subject and bring him back to the helicopter for the flight out,” the team explained.
On Monday, NSR explained that the second rescue that happened on Sunday night on Goat Mountain in the Grouse backcountry was “virtually identical.”
“This individual, a visitor from overseas, had seen two hiking routes (Kennedy Falls and Goat Mtn/Ridge) on a GPS/mapping app and decided to try and join them. Had he done any research beyond looking at the app, he would have realized that there is no trail – and not even a route – between the two. It is very, very rough bushwacking, combined with extremely steep stretches and cliffs,” the rescue team explained.
“After many hours of difficult hiking, the subject found himself wet, cold, exhausted, with no provisions left, and in fading daylight. He called 911 for help, and was fortunate to be able to get a signal. He was further fortunate as his cell had been drained of most of its battery.
“This individual was *extremely* fortunate. As readers of this page frequently hear, there is no guarantee of cell service in the backcountry – especially as far back as this subject was. He was extremely fortunate to be able to get a signal and be able to call 911 for help. As mentioned, he was visiting from overseas. He was staying in temporary accommodation and took the bus to Grouse. No one (not even any significant other overseas this time) knew where he was or what time he was expected back. Had the subject not been able to get a call out for help, his situation would have been much more dire,” the team added.
NSR says that there are many lessons learned from the rescue missions.
“As a reminder, we share these comments not to shame (neither NSR nor any other SAR team out there supports charging/fining for rescues but to educate, in homes that these comments will prevent future situations,” NSR said.