*** Poor Weather Contributes to Two Vancouver Searches in Two Days ***

From: sarinfo@mindlink.bc.ca  - Martin Colwell

November 24, 1995: - North Shore Mountains, Vancouver, BC.

High winds, heavy rain and low cloud caused poor hiking conditions on the
North Shore mountains this weekend. A group of nine Boy Scouts with three
leaders lost the Haines Loop Trail behind Grouse Mountain, due to fallen
trees and hidden trail markers. River crossings were problematic and the
troup quickly became lost and were subsequently benighted. At daybreak a
clearing in the weather permitted a helicopter to search the Haines Valley
region for the group.

The helicopter crew soon spotted the Scouts and managed to land nearby. A
set of relays ferried the scouts to safety and the arms of their waiting
families.

The following day a lone male hiker wearing only a T-shirt and goretex pants
attempted to complete the Baden Powel Trail from the Capilano Dam to Horsehoe
Bay in one short day. When he did not return by nightfall a search was
initiated. Despite a night-long search in just below freezing temperatures
the subject was not found by dawn. The North Shore Rescue Team then called
in mutual aid from the Lions Bay and Coquitlam SAR teams. At approximately
1030hrs the subject walked out to the Capilano Dam, suffering from mild
hypothermia.

From: Martin Colwell, Lions Bay Search & Rescue

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