North Shore Rescue escorts lost hikers off Crown Mountain trail
The hikers set off for the gruelling seven-hour hike on the closed trail at 6:30 a.m., says NSR
Two hikers have been escorted off the Crown Mountain trail on the North Shore after their call for help triggered a local rescue effort.
North Shore Rescue team leader Mike Danks said the experienced hikers, a man and woman, set off for the difficult, seven-hour hike at 6:30 a.m.
The trail is currently closed for the season.
"Obviously we don't want people going back there," said Danks.
Danks said the pair called 911 around 8 p.m. PT saying they had gotten lost, but were prepared to stay overnight. The call triggered the rescue group into action. For at least 45 minutes, neither police nor NSR were able to get in touch with them.
NSR responding to Grouse Mountain Resort parking lot for lost hikers on the Crown Mountain Trail.
—@NSRescueBut the hikers then called police again to say they had found the trail, said Danks, who said the woman wasn't pleased when police insisted the rescue effort continue.
"That's not very helpful," said Danks.
Danks said police were concerned because the hikers were finding their way back with only the light from a cellphone.
Eventually, the pair was escorted back to the trail head by Grouse Moutain Resort staff and NSR rescuers, said Danks.
North Shore Rescue has repeatedly said how frustrated it has been with ill-prepared hikers this past year.
Its team of volunteers took part in 138 rescues in 2015, the most in its 50-year history; on average, the group gets 90 calls a year.
Corrections
- A previous version of this story said North Shore Rescue had recruited 40 new members. In fact, NSR recently recruited six new members, in addition to the approximately 40 members who were already volunteering.Jan 26, 2016 11:04 AM PT