The retrieval of two men stranded on Mamquam Glacier Tuesday was a massive effort, requiring the assistance of the Canadian Air Force's Civil Air Search and Rescue Association based in Comox.
According to reports, the two men had landed on the glacier with a ski plane, and then had trouble taking off. The passenger got out of the plane to try to reduce the weight while the pilot made another attempt.
The passenger lost sight of the plane and became worried. He did not see the plane drop into a crevasse in the glacier.
The passenger called in rescue crews, who spotted the downed plane and the passenger. Search and Rescue teams hoisted the pilot from the wrecked plane on a spinal board, as he was complaining of back pain.
Crews then used a Cormorant helicopter to carry the men out of the area.
There's no word on why the men were on the glacier, but it's common for recreational pilots and tour companies to land on glaciers, often carrying people and equipment for longer backcountry trips.
