Storm-Tossed Rescue

LBSAR pushed to limit on Unnecessary Mountain

photo by Scott Mackenzie

Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) was called into action on Wednesday after two young hikers lost their way on Unnecessary Mountain and were stranded overnight on the mountain's west ridge.  

Team manager Brent Calkin said that the twin systems of intense rain and high winds combining in the air over Lions Bay meant that initial attempts to reach the hikers by helicopter were thwarted. "In the face of very volatile wind conditions and low cloud on the ridgeline, ground teams were dispatched immediately for the long climb on foot up to the Unnecessary west ridge," he said.

A small break in the weather later in the day allowed a second series of helicopter attempts, this time with the help of North Shore Rescue (NSR) and the larger Talon Dauphin helicopter. 

"NSR and LBSAR Hoist team members repeatedly attempted to access the subjects but were rebuffed by chaotic wind conditions and constantly shifting and vision obscuring cloud vortexes," said Calkin.

When the six-member ground team finally reached the stranded hikers, they made use of a light, temporary nylon shelter known as a 'bothy bag.'

He said the bothy bag has room for eight people, and is used to allow subjects and rescuers an escape from the elements. "It's a safe spot to warm everyone up and feed them, in an attempt to ultimately get them mobile again."

It soon became evident that a helicopter extraction was not in the cards. Once the hikers were warmed and fed, "the pair were provided with warm dry clothing, harnesses and helmets, so that team members could protect their descent down the steepest and most treacherous trail in the Lions Bay area," said Calkin.

Assisting the subjects to the trailhead took many hours of arduous rope and legwork. The six-member rescue team plus the two lost hikers were met at the trailhead by the LBSAR resource crew, who provided the group with greatly appreciated, (and quickly devoured) hot soup and sandwiches.

Once the hikers were reunited with their families, the team decided to save the clean-up of the piles of wet and dirty gear for the following day. "Ten hours of thrashing through the storm up the most unforgiving trail in Lions Bay was enough for one day," Calkin said.  

He added that while the hikers used a well-regarded navigation app to plan their trip, they chose their route to the top of the Howe Sound Crest trail based on which trail looked the shortest and most direct on their map.

"This had the effect of also choosing the most difficult and steepest trail in the entire area," Calkin said, which, when combined with weather conditions, led to extreme exhaustion and a caloric need that quickly overwhelmed their food supply.

Calkin said the lost hikers carried phones and two sizeable battery banks that they were able to use to contact 911 and activate LBSAR. However, when they tried to recharge their wet phones from the battery packs, things went wrong.

"The phones, being soaked, flashed up a screen window saying that the charging port was wet and that charging would be suspended," said Calkin.

He added that it's important to use a ziplock bag or commercial phone cover to protect phones from moisture. "Even so-called "waterproof" phones will continue to work while wet, but will become useless when the internal battery dies and can't be recharged."

LBSAR provides these rescue services without question or charge. Donations to help replace equipment and support the team can be made HERE.

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