Last week, five young hikers were rescued after a night in Canada’s frigid North Shore mountains.
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A group of men in their 20s lost their way while hiking down from Lynn Peak in North Vancouver on Monday evening. With low visibility and impending inclement weather, the hikers called for help around 7:30 p.m. Luckily, North Shore Rescue received the call.
There was a “fair amount of snow,” wind, and rain, Dave Barnett with North Shore Rescue told CBC News. Soon after the weather set in, the hikers became disoriented. Before long, they realized they were right above a steep cliff, which posed a risk for a serious fall given the icy conditions. The hikers were also not adequately dressed for the cold weather.
It took the rescuers about three hours to locate the group, reports Vancouver’s CityNews. Because of the steep slope and slick snow, they had to set up a rope system to descend down to the men. At this point, two of the hikers were showing early signs of hypothermia. These two were airlifted out of the woods immediately to seek medical treatment. Rescuers helped the other three hikers warm up, gave them proper gear, then escorted them out of the mountains to safety. At the trailhead, these three were checked by paramedics before being released. They were cold and exhausted, but showed no signs of hypothermia or other serious issues.
The hikers were grateful to be rescued, Barnett told CBC News. Hopefully, they also learned some valuable lessons about coming prepared for such circumstances.
Experts recommend that hikers leave a detailed itinerary with someone they know prior to hitting the trail. In this case, the rescued hikers did the right thing. They left information with their parents about their planned route, expected time of return, and other necessary information. This helped rescuers zero in on their location quickly.
You should also aim to carry basic survival essentials with you whenever you head into the backcountry. These items include warm clothes, a fire starter, a light, a signaling device, a pocket knife, water, food, and a compass or GPS. Also be sure to check the weather conditions ahead of time. Whenever you venture into the mountains, bring extra food and water, and pack enough layers for the forecasted lows. You never know when a delay could keep you out longer than expected.
