A North Vancouver man had to be rescued by helicopter over the weekend after getting lost in the dark on his way down from the Lions.
The 34-year-old Vancouver resident was hiking back from the peaks late Saturday afternoon when he became disoriented in the failing light and wandered off the path, according to rescuers.
When he realized he was lost, he called for help, touching off a search by Lions Bay Search and Rescue.
The volunteer team scoured the area for much of the night, finally tracking the man to a creek drainage just before daybreak. They found him stranded, in light clothing and without a flashlight, on the steep side of a gully.
Unable to reach the victim, the team called in members of North Shore Rescue, who flew in by helicopter, harnessed him to a long line and transported him to safety. The man was treated by paramedics and released.
"He was found to be wet and cold but uninjured," said team leader Tim Jones.
"In this particular canyon area, we dealt with a fatality three years ago. This gentleman was very lucky he didn't meet the same fate."
The victim, who had little equipment beyond shorts and a shirt, had set out too late in the day to get out of the woods before nightfall, said Jones.
The incident should serve as a reminder to the public to prepare properly before entering the forest, and especially to bring a light source - two ideally, he said, in case one fails.
