*** Major Multi-Day Winter-Search for Missing Hiker *** From - Thu Jan 23 05:56:38 1997 To: sarinfo@mindlink.bc.ca From: Blair Doyle Subject: Halifax Regional Search and Rescue's Latest Mission ....... 21/01/97...........Missing Hiker takes fatal short cut Halifax Regional Search and Rescue received a callout at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17/97. Tantallon R.C.M.P. had a report of an overdue hiker in the woods south of Lakeside off the 103 Highway, just 3km west of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Missing was 46 year-old male, James Ripley, an experienced woodsman and Licensed Fishing Guide. Indications were he was on a day hike to a cabin on the Nine Mile River and was due back at his girlfriends for supper at 5:00 p.m. Friday. He was reported to have had lots of survival gear and capability. Temperatures changed from +8 Celsius Friday morning to -10 Celsius Friday evening, with a 2cm snowfall between 10 and 11 a.m.. A HRSAR set-up their Command bus and Logistics bus at the head of Greenhead Rd. where Mr. Ripley had left his vehicle. Under the direction of R.C.M.P. I/C Dave Crouse and HRSAR's I/C's Mike Murray and Ken Hill, 9 hasty teams began to run the web of roads and trails leading to and along the East side of Nine Mile River at 11:00 p.m.. An R.C.M.P. search dog had entered from the PLS at 10 p.m. The temperature overnight was -20 Celsius with a wind-chill of -35 Celsius, couple that with the rugged terrain and searcher safety was of great concern. The only clue detected was a set of tracks discovered at 2 a.m. Jan. 18 running into, along and then crossing, the ice on Little Salmon Pool over to the West side of the Nine Mile River. Ice thickness was of concern, thus they could not be followed. Saturday, Jan.18 - 7am saw a DNR helicopter join the search and R.C.M.P. I/C Archie Mason and HRSAR's I/C's Bruce MacKay and Fisher McKay took hold of the days activities. Teams from Lunenburg, Eastern Shore, and Queens were called in to aid in the effort. Early morning searching in the Helicopter revealed some camps along the river. Tracks were discovered around one located on the north end of Big Salmon Pool on the West side of the river, the next stillwater down stream from Little Salmon Pool. The tracks entered out on to the stillwater. The helicopter had to cease operations at 11 am due to heavy snowfall. With tracks now lost in the 10cm snowfall hopes that he had exited off of Big Salmon Pool and crossed back over to east side of the Nine Mile River were being acted upon. Teams began sign cutting and setting up the area for Type II and III searching overnight Sat. with Friday night's overhead team returning to I/C. Sunday, Jan. 19 - R.C.M.P. helicopter from New Brunswick with a FLIR joined the search effort, as well as the Coast Guard with their Argo more search teams from North Queens, Annapolis Valley, and Hants West. Type II and III searching persisted for most of the day on both sides of the Nine Mile River and engulfed a 20 km square radius at it's peak. Saturday's overhead team controlled Sunday's effort that saw up to 100 searchers plus support crew. The search was suspended for Sunday Night to allow searchers to rest and rejuvenate. Safety of members was a factor in the suspension too with one team having a close call with exposure on Saturday night. Monday, Jan. 20 - The search resumed with temperatures being warmer. R.C.M.P. I/C Archie Mason and HRSAR's I/C's Tony Rodgers and Ken Hill made up the O/H. Midday brought back Mike Murray who with Constable Ralph Patterson, with the R.C.M.P. Dive Team, flew out to scout out an area to place a Dive Team on the North end of Big Salmon Pool where the tracks were last seen. A pair of gloves and a hat was discovered on the ice at that same time by an Eastern Shore SAR team on the East side of the Big Salmon Pool (opposite the track entry point on the West side). It was collected and confirmed to be that of the subjects. After clearing some of Saturdays snowfall a broken-up patch of ice where a hole had been was discovered 10ft. from shore. Tuesday, Jan. 21 - R.C.M.P. Dive Rescue Team supported by 10 HRSAR members were hopped into the site on Big Salmon Pool, located 5 km from the PLS, at first light by the two choppers. A base camp was set-up and the ice was prepared for entry. Divers entered the water at 11:10 a.m.. Mr. Ripley's 50lb. backpack was recovered at 11:30 am, his remains were recovered at 11:38am. in 12ft. of water approximately 30ft. from the hole and 20 ft. from his pack. His watch had stopped at 4:20 p.m., Jan.17/97. This was a very challenging and difficult search for and on all involved. Thanks goes out to Halifax Regional Search and Rescue, the R.C.M.P., Lakeside Volunteer Fire Dept., Department of Natural Resources, the Canadian Coast Guard, Queens County SAR, North Queens County SAR, Eastern Shore SAR,Valley SAR, Hants West SAR, Lunenburg SAR, E.M.O. and all the countless people and businesses that provided food and support. For further information contact Blair Doyle at "adventur@atcon.com" Safety Officer Halifax Regional Search and Rescue Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. ---------------------------