Text from the NSR page. Thanks to NSR, LBSAR, WSAR, Talon Helicopters and all agencies involved!

LONG WEEKEND TASKS DEBRIEF

As is often the case, the May long weekend was a busy one for NSR, and indeed for SAR teams across the Province.

The common theme locally - hikers unprepared (in both equipment and skill) for encountering snow when hiking in the mountains. A reminder: even in 'low' snow years like this year (locally, at least), and even when the weather a sea level is sunny and warm, there remains a significant amount of snow at elevation, and recreationalists need to be mindful of this.

Task #1

Saturday evening, NSR's helicopter rescue team was called on Mutual Aid with Lions Bay SAR for a group of four hikers on the Brunswick trail who were unprepared for the snow and technical terrain they had encountered and were stuck in hazardous terrain.

LBSAR members had responded with Talon Helicopters, but due to low cloud cover, had to hover-exit lower down and make their way on foot to the stranded subjects. Once on scene, with the clouds moving in and out, they requested a hoist assist from NSR.

This was the latest in a long series of rescues that LBSAR has had in their jurisdiction over the last few weeks. Here, the two teams worked very well together to effect the successful helicopter rescue of the individuals.

See Lions Bay SAR's post (photo attached to this post also courtesy of LBSAR) here:

• Lions Bay SAR Facebook post
• Reddit discussion thread

Tasks #2 and 3

On Sunday afternoon, NSR responded for two simultaneous ankle injuries, the first on the Dog Mountain trail on Seymour, and then 11 minutes later north of St. Mark's Summit on Cypress.

With our partners at Talon Helicopters, a hoist helicopter team first rescued the Dog Mountain subject, then the St. Mark's.

Task #4

Late Sunday evening, NSR was tasked on Mutual Aid by Whistler SAR for 4 ill equipped, stuck/stranded hikers at Garibaldi Lake.

The individuals were unprepared and ill equipped for the cold snowy conditions they found themselves in, and given their conditions, a helicopter rescue was deemed prudent and proper for their safety.

No, this is not deja vu - the circumstances and location were essentially identical to the WSAR-NSR helicopter rescue at Garibaldi Lake two weeks prior.

• NSR Facebook post
• Reddit discussion thread

Task #5

On Monday afternoon, NSR was tasked for a hiker with a dislocated shoulder injury on Pump Peak in the Seymour backcountry.

By pure coincidence, one of our Advanced Medical Providers was recreating nearby and made his way to the subject. He was then able to reduce the dislocation and start hiking out. They met up with yet another NSR member who happened to be recreating in the area, and they all made their way out safety to the parking lot.

From the Lions Bay SAR post:

Lion’s Bay Search and Rescue was dispatched for four hikers stuck on the Mount Brunswick Trail in steep, snowy, and slippery conditions.

A team was dropped in by helicopter and hiked to the subjects. Due to the time of day, temperature, and cloud line, the decision was made to request assistance from North Shore Rescue for a hoist extraction. All subjects were hoisted out and taken down to Lions Bay.

This incident serves as another reminder that Mount Brunswick is still under winter conditions and is not suitable for travel in running shoes. Proper footwear and winter mountain gear is needed for this route.

For all hikers, having the proper gear for your trip is essential. This should include food and water, proper footwear, headlamp and batteries, cellphone and charger, and warm layers regardless of elevation. Hikers are also encouraged to research the current conditions as part of their trip planning process, as well as the time needed to complete the hike before dark.

Check out AdventureSmart for trip planning resources.

Thank you to North Shore Rescue for their assistance with this call.

From [this post on the Lions Bay SAR page](https://www.facebook.com/share/1E6Xt3qhpQ/):

Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) responded to a call involving an injured hiker with a sprained ankle on the Brunswick Trail.

A group of four hikers had set out on a challenging hike toward Mount Brunswick. Approximately 2 km below the summit, one member of the group sustained a sprained ankle after stepping on loose rock. Recognizing the injury, the group made the decision to turn around and begin descending.

An initial response team was first to reach the subject and conducted an initial assessment. The subject was fitted with a walking boot in an attempt to assist with mobility. However, after some time, the subject continued to experience significant pain and was unable to safely continue under their own power.

A second team arrived with a stretcher, and the decision was made to transition to a carry-out. The subject was packaged and transported down the trail, including a careful crossing of Magnesia Creek, before being brought to waiting rescue vehicles.

This incident highlights the importance of proper footing and caution on loose terrain, particularly on steep and technical trails such as Brunswick.

This marks the third call this week involving similar circumstances. In each case, inadequate footwear has been a contributing factor. LBSAR reminds hikers that proper footwear is essential on steep, loose, and technical terrain, particularly on routes like Brunswick.