North Shore Rescue is again warning hikers not to expect an easy helicopter ride home if they go into the bush unprepared.
A group of Richmond hikers wound up scattered in treacherous terrain on Saturday evening when they strayed from the Howe Sound Crest Trail near St. Mark’s Summit. The group split up and two young men found themselves stranded on a cliff band.
With dwindling daylight, the team called in helicopter support.
“These guys were wearing runners, tank tops and shorts. They didn’t have any extra clothing or equipment with them so they weren’t well prepared for that hike at this time of year,” said team leader Mike Danks.
Volunteers long-lined the men back to the Cypress Bowl parking lot but Danks said he was tempted to make the men walk out, escorted by rescue team members.
On Monday night, the team walked a young man and woman off Mount Seymour after they lost the Mystery Lake trail in the clouds.
Danks said the couple, who were also not well prepared, were smart to call for help and stay put, despite being “really, really close” to the chairlift.
Danks sent in a team to help so the couple wouldn’t get stuck overnight without any means of communication.
