LBSAR Night Rescue on Mount Brunswick

At 9:35 p.m., Lions Bay Search and Rescue was tasked to assist a hiker with an injured ankle on Mount Brunswick.

Two men in their 20s were descending from the summit when one of them stepped on a loose rock at approximately 1,550 metres elevation, twisting his ankle. The injury left him unable to continue hiking.

Given the late hour, the steep terrain, and the subject's inability to walk, LBSAR requested mutual aid from North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopters to conduct a hoist extraction. Rescue personnel were inserted by helicopter, packaged the subject, and safely extracted him from the mountain.

The subject was flown to the Lions Bay School field, where he was assessed and treated for his injury before being driven home by his companion.

The pair did not have headlamps and had not anticipated remaining on the mountain after dark. Even during the summer months, delays caused by injury, route-finding, or fatigue can quickly extend a hike well into the evening. A reliable headlamp with fresh batteries is an essential item on every hike, regardless of your planned return time.

The upper slopes of Mount Brunswick are also characterized by loose rock and shale, making footing particularly challenging on the descent. Trekking poles can significantly improve stability, reduce the impact on knees and ankles, and help prevent slips and twists on this type of terrain.

Lions Bay Search and Rescue would like to thank North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopters for their rapid assistance and continued partnership during this rescue.