Hikers lost in overnight snow storm rescued in North Vancouver
North Shore Rescue says two hikers were rescued after getting lost overnight near Norvan Falls in North Vancouver.
According to search manager Dave Barnett, the pair started on a hike at about 1:00 p.m. Saturday but lost their way on the way back down.
“They initially thought that if they went down to the creek they could find their way back following the creek but that terrain is really rough. With all the snow, they weren’t obviously equipped for it, they couldn’t do more than anything but hunker down for the night,” Barnett said.
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He said the man and woman sought shelter under a tree. Fortunately, when morning came, a few well-equipped hikers heard cries for help.
“It took a little while but they responded and did some bushwhacking and were able to find these two. They were huddled up very cold. These hikers were very well prepared. Gave them lots of dry clothing, warmed them a bit and started to walk them out.”
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Barnett says the hikers called the RCMP which then alerted the rescue. The two were given a first aid assessment and Barnett says one of them had signs of cold injury to their toe.
“Other than that, they would just have been cold but very very lucky to be alive, and if someone hadn’t heard them it’s extremely easy to succumb to hypothermia specially for folks that probably weren’t fully prepared for freezing temperatures.”
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Barnett says winter hiking is completely different, one that requires winter equipment.
“A couple of folks likely just didn’t have the lighting they needed nor the warm clothing.”
He also reminds hikers to inform someone when going and when you’re expected home.
“Just stay out of the backcountry when the storm is approaching. That’s just the time not to go on a hike like that in the first place. Pay attention to weather conditions.”
Barnett commended the hikers who responded to the lost pair.
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“Not everyone does that, it was thanks to those folks that we were even alerted.”
Written with files from Tim James.
