Hiker lost on Mount Seymour rescued

A hiker lost in the backcountry of Mount Seymour Provincial Park has been found by search and rescue crews. 

He really didn't have the ten essentials.- Peter Haigh

North Shore Rescue says the hiker, Aaron Hancheroff, left for Elsay Lake around noon on Wednesday from the top of Mount Seymour, but became lost on his return. 

"I ended up on another different access route leading to Deep Cove, and it didn't take long before I realized that I was going in the wrong direction, and darkness set in pretty quickly so I had to hunker down and make the phone calls and submit," said Hancheroff.

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Hancheroff managed to get cellphone service and make a call for help. 

With the assistance of Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue, search crews were able to intercept the lost hiker from the Indian Arm.

Hancheroff arrived safely on the shores of Deep Cove around 3 a.m. Thursday, 15 hours after beginning his hike. 

Upon landing Hancheroff said he was "looking forward to a good night's rest and hopefully a better day tomorrow."

Be prepared with the 10 essentials

Peter Haigh with North Shore Rescue said the hiker was lucky to get a signal out, considering he was without essential survival tools.

"He didn't have a map, he didn't have a compass, so he wasn't following anything. He really didn't have the ten essentials," said Hague.

Haigh estimates this is North Shore Rescue's 45th rescue this year, and says hikers are still underestimating the need to prepare for the unexpected. 

He recommends hikers bring the 10 essentials, which include a light, signaling device, fire starter, extra clothes, pocketknife, shelter, water and food, first-aid kit, navigation, and a cellphone.