Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) manager Brad Sills said there are plenty of teachable moments for those heading into the backcountry after the group retrieved an injured hiker on Sept. 30.
Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, WSAR received a request for extrication from the BC Ambulance Service and the RCMP after a solo 25-year-old hiker was injured after falling while exploring ice caves near Iceberg Lake.
Sills said that three members responded to the scene and the hiker was taken out by helicopter. The rescue took roughly two hours, he said.
There was no immediate indication of the hiker’s condition.
“We just transferred him to the care of the ambulance and haven’t followed up with him as yet,” Sills said on Oct. 1.
According to Sills, the hiker was fortunate to have been discovered by two unrelated hikers, as he was injured and immobile in an area without cellular service, and the area does not see much mid-week traffic at this time of year. One of the responding hikers returned to cell-phone range and notified authorities.
Sills used the incident to reinforce safety messaging for those looking to explore the backcountry, especially at this time of year. Firstly, solo hiking is dangerous and ill advised, especially when heading into an area without cellular service. As well, ice caves are unstable at this time of year, and people should complete a careful assessment before entering. Lastly, hikers should be prepared to spend a night in the backcountry in case of an emergency like this, and that means preparing for winter conditions. While the injured hiker had some of the recommended gear, Sills reiterated that the more, the better.
“He had some gear. More than the average [hiker],” Sills said. “But he would have had an extremely uncomfortable evening if he had had to spend the night.
“He had bear spray, which was great, and he had a light cotton sweatshirt and a windbreaker.
“It’s winter up there at this time of year at night time.”
Full WSAR backcountry advice is available at whistlersar.com/backcountry-tips-before-you-go and www.adventuresmart.ca/tripplanning/planning.htm.
Pick up Pique next Thursday for more on WSAR.
