Two of the three mountaineers who went missing in Garibaldi Provincial Park in May have been identified through a memorial fundraiser.
A GoFundMe page in honour of Jonathan Büchner and Chris Gulka from Langley is raising money for a celebration of their lives and a donation to Squamish Search and Rescue (SSR) crews who searched for the men through inclement weather on Atwell Peak.
Earlier this month, the Sea to Sky RCMP announced the discovery of three bodies on Garibaldi Mountain, nearly one month after the disappearance of three mountaineers in the same region.
The search began on May 31 when the three climbers did not return from their expedition as expected.
Unfavourable weather plagued the efforts of SSR and North Shore Rescue, who searched for more than a week.
The organizer of the GoFundMe page, Lukas Mann, says the trio reached the summit on the morning of May 31, but were “caught in a catastrophic avalanche on their descent.”
He says his community is devastated by the loss.
“These young men embodied the spirit of adventure, resilience, and camaraderie that defines the mountain community in the Lower Mainland of B.C. They were not just climbers,” Mann wrote on the fundraiser page.
“Their love of life and warm hearts touched many lives, both within the climbing & outdoor communities as well as in their work and personal lives.”
Mann says some of the money will go towards an event for “friends, family, fellow adventurers, and others who knew the boys to come together to remember and celebrate the lives of Jon and Chris.”
He says the event will be an opportunity to share stories, support, and pay tribute to their “amazing adventures and outstanding characters.”
A minimum of $5,000 and any excess funds raised will be donated to SSR, Mann says.
“For their exceptional service and support over the course of the search and recovery period.”
As of Sunday, the GoFundMe has gathered $8,067 of its $10,000 goal.