A tourist fell approximately 30 metres off the Binkert Trail near Lions Bay Sunday afternoon and was subsequently airlifted with a helicopter long-line by North Shore Rescue.
The hiker sustained a concussion and a broken jaw in his fall according to Tim Jones of North Shore Rescue, who said the man was "ill-equipped" for the terrain.
"They were wearing tennis shoes and light clothes," Jones said, referring to the tourist and his companion.
The man was heading down the trail at an elevation of approximately 1,060 metres in steep snow when he tumbled, according to Jones.
"He did have a flashlight and the flashlight did help," Jones said.
After being stuck for approximately three hours, rescuers told the man to switch on his flashlight, which helped the helicopter pilot fix his position.
"He was spotted and he was air-lifted out shortly before dark," Jones said.
The tourist was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Lions Gate Hospital by B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics.
Despite spring weather in the valley, Jones cautioned that hikers need to be prepared for winter conditions on the mountain.
"It's still winter operations for search and rescue because anything in the alpine is still a deep snow pack," he said. "The general public needs to understand that if they are recreating in that area they need to be well-equipped. The minimum for that kind of hike would be good mountaineering boots and an ice axe."
