Search for missing Squamish mountaineers still grounded due to weather

Search crews are becoming desperate for a break in the weather as they try to find three missing mountaineers on Mount Garibaldi.

The trio is believed to be somewhere on Atwell Peak. They were supposed to return on Friday evening but never did.

Squamish Search and Rescue (SSAR) manager BJ Chute says they’re on standby.

“We understand that there is significant weather clearing down low, however, at this point, there’s still significantly clouded in areas towards Atwell Peak. Once and if that weather does lift then it’s going to allow us to spend some time in the area.”

He says once that happens, they’ll be sending in several helicopter teams to scope out the vast area.

Chute explains they’re going to reassess the weather at noon.

“I think as we’re all learning when it comes to weather, nothing’s a guarantee. We have the plan in place, we have the personnel ready to go, we’re just waiting for the weather to lift and give us the time to go in and do a proper assessment of the area and start working.”

Chute says the task is still considered a rescue operation.

“We’re still considering this an active search and rescue operation until there’s a reason to not consider that. There’s too many factors that I just couldn’t realistically answer [the] question [if they’re still believed to be alive].”

He says the terrain is intense, but the silver lining is the three are experienced in the backcountry.

“It’s a highly technical terrain. This is not a simple walk in the park. The terrain is full-on mountaineering, and in this case, winter mountaineering. Ice axes, ropes, crampons, so it’s simply not an afternoon hike that people would take.”

Chute says the families of those missing and the RCMP continue to support their search efforts.

“We have narrowed down which peak with Garibaldi Park, but other than that, we don’t have a clear picture as to where within that peak they could be.”