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发表于 2006-6-1 11:52:21
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ZT from North Shore News
ZT from North Shore News May 31, 2006 issue:
"Winter conditions strand 25 hikers
Erin McPhee
emcphee@nsnews.com
TWENTY-FIVE members of a Lower Mainland hiking group spent Sunday night wandering through the woods after a failed and ill-equipped attempt to travel from Lynn Headwaters Regional Park to Grouse Mountain.
"They were ready for a spring hike, but they were not ready for movement in mountain terrain with snow conditions and degrading snow conditions," said Tim Jones, spokesman for North Shore Rescue. Parts of their planned approximately 11-kilometre route, specifically the Hanes Valley and Crown Pass areas, are currently under winter closure, he said.
North Shore Rescue was called shortly before midnight on Sunday after friends of the group expressed concern when they were overdue. It was originally thought that there were 18 people - men and women in their 20s, 30s and 40s - missing after leaving Sunday morning, although later it was determined that the group was comprised of 25 members.
A combined search operation was launched by North Shore Rescue, under search manager Ron Royston, the North Vancouver RCMP, and GVRD and Grouse Mountain Resorts Ltd. staff.
Despite the dark conditions and marginal weather, search teams were sent into the Grouse Mountain area based on the length of time that had passed since the group set out. The route was an extremely difficult one for team members to traverse due to very deep snow and steep treacherous terrain, said Jones.
"We're lucky we didn't lose a guy on this one," he said.
During their descent through an area with lots of boulders, they realized that due to the warm weather, the snowpack had melted and streams had formed underneath. One of the searchers broke through the snowpack and was saved from falling an estimated 15 feet only by his backpack that acted as a wedge, said Jones.
Searchers continued to look for signs of the hikers with a heightened concern for their well-being. They later found out that the group had not opted to travel through the highly dangerous area they themselves encountered, having decided to turn back at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday after a few members had fallen and experienced cuts and bruises.
While the team was working to shift their focus back toward Lynn Valley Headwaters Regional Park, 10 of the missing group's members walked out on their own at about 3 a.m.
The remaining 15 hikers were subsequently assisted by rescuers in trucks and on ATVs.
The group was assessed by B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics and released.
Field search teams were airlifted off the mountain at 6:30 a.m.
"This Lynn Headwaters route is actually becoming a major thing on our radar screen right now," said Jones. The team is planning to review its operating and safety procedures related to the area as a result, he said.
The team has responded to a number of emergency situations in the area in the last few years. For example, a full-blown search was conducted in March when a foreign exchange student from Germany attempted the same hike and spent the night outside before being found mildly hypothermic and bootless by searchers the next day.
Jones said extreme caution is required for those choosing to travel in the Hanes Valley and Crown Pass areas which are considered extremely dangerous right now. Those attempting the route should wear mountaineering boots, have an ice axe, and travel as part of a highly experienced group only.
"Our recommendation is, wait until the snow melts," Jones said, and the trail is officially opened for the season.
published on 05/31/2006" |
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发表于 2006-5-30 12:01:33
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