Lions Bay Search and Rescue responded this evening to an injured hiker on the Howe Sound Crest Trail after a fall resulted in a significant laceration to her ankle.
The party had started at Cypress Provincial Park and was descending from Little Brother Peak through one of the route’s notoriously loose and sharp boulder fields. The hiker lost her balance and fell, with a rock slicing open her ankle.
With assistance from Talon Helicopters, LBSAR rescuers were inserted near the group’s location. The wound was cleaned, closed and wrapped, and pain relief was provided. The hiker was then able to climb approximately 100 metres to a suitable helicopter extraction location, where the party was flown out.
One thing they did particularly well: they had backup communication.
Cell coverage along the Howe Sound Crest Trail can be extremely unreliable, and the area where this incident occurred had particularly poor reception. The group was well prepared and carried a Garmin inReach satellite communicator, which they activated when they needed assistance.
A satellite communicator doesn’t prevent an accident—but when something goes wrong beyond cell coverage, it can dramatically improve your ability to call for help and provide rescuers with your location.
The HSCT is a rugged mountain route. Loose rock, boulder fields and uneven terrain are part of the journey, and even experienced, well-prepared hikers can get injured.
This group did a lot right: they were prepared, had backup communications, stayed together and called for help when they needed it.
Preparation isn’t about guaranteeing nothing will go wrong. It’s about being ready when something does.