Lions Bay Search and Rescue was called out at approximately 2:30 PM for a hiker who had suffered a sprained ankle while descending the Mount Brunswick Trail at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres.
The rescue was complicated by a low cloud ceiling sitting around 700 metres. Although helicopters are an invaluable resource during mountain rescues, they cannot safely fly into cloud. With the subject well above the cloud layer, an immediate helicopter extraction was not possible.
Instead, the rescue helicopter approached from the Deeks Lake area, where weather conditions allowed the aircraft to safely access the mountain to just below Hat pass. A ground rescue team was inserted below the cloud ceiling and hiked to the subjects. Once on scene, members assessed the injury, administered pain medication, and packaged the patient for evacuation while waiting for conditions to improve.
Fortunately, as the afternoon progressed, the cloud ceiling began to lift enough to allow for a safe hoist operation. Lions Bay Search and Rescue requested mutual aid from North Shore Rescue to assist with the helicopter hoist, and the subject was successfully extracted and transported to the Lion’s Bay school field.
The remaining subjects were hiked down from Hat Pass to a suitable hover extraction area.
This rescue serves as an important reminder that helicopters cannot fly through low cloud ceilings. If you are injured on a day with poor weather, rescue teams may have no choice but to hike to your location before an extraction can take place. Depending on the terrain and weather, this can add hours to a rescue.
Trail conditions on Mount Brunswick were also wet, slippery, and muddy following overnight rain, with mist and low cloud creating reduced visibility in the upper alpine. These conditions significantly increase the risk of slips and falls, particularly on the steep descent where loose rock becomes even more hazardous when wet.
Before heading into the mountains, check both the weather forecast and the expected cloud ceiling—not just the chance of rain. A low cloud ceiling can dramatically affect rescue options if something goes wrong. Consider carrying hiking poles for steep descents, wear footwear with good traction, and allow extra time when trails are wet.