If it weren't for North Shore Rescue, two young hikers might have attempted a very dangerous imitation of Huckleberry Finn.
On Sunday, Sept. 28, two hikers, aged 16 and 13, took the bus to the top of Lynn Valley Sunday afternoon and ventured into the forest near Mountain Highway, according to North Shore Rescue spokesman Doug Pope.
The "completely unprepared" duo hiked the Cedar Trail before heading off the path to Lynn Creek. They eventually ended up on the banks of Lynn Creek, unsure of what to do next.
"That's very thick bush with no trails," Pope said.
A recent rainfall had boosted the water level in the creek, according to Pope. "They were contemplating building themselves a raft and floating down the river, which would have been very dangerous to do, so luckily they didn't succeed," Pope said.
The hikers had no survival gear but they had brought their cellphone and opted to call for help.
North Vancouver RCMP contacted NSR, who went looking for the youngsters at about 7:30 p.m. After using the teen's cellphone to ascertain their GPS coordinates, 16 NSR members bushwacked their way to the hikers. "They were cold and starting to get scared but were happy to see us," Pope said.
The NSR volunteers hiked the teens to safety at about 9:30 p.m. "The RCMP gave them a ride home, safe and sound to their families."
The "adventure gone awry" is a reminder to hikers to pack essentials when heading into the North Shore backcountry.
NSR recommends bringing a light, whistle, matches, warm clothes, a pocketknife, a tarp, water, a first-aid kit, and a GPS, as well as a cellphone.
