Lions Bay Search and Rescue was tasked at approximately 12:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a hiker who had become separated from her group near the junction of the Howe Sound Crest Trail and the Mount Brunswick Trail.
The group had started at Cypress Provincial Park, spending their first night on Mount Unnecessary. Their plan for the second day was to camp at Brunswick Lake.
Somewhere near the Brunswick junction, the group became separated. Part of the group continued ahead to establish camp while the remaining member attempted to catch up. Unfortunately, both parties repeatedly missed one another despite several attempts to reconnect.
The separated hiker had only 8% battery remaining on her phone. Once the phone died, she was unable to navigate digitally but she managed to move downhill following markers and guessing at logging roads to the best of her ability.
She eventually reached Brunswick Lake, searched for her party, then continued to the lower lake when she did not find them. After again failing to locate the group, she returned to the upper lake. Ultimately, using only a flashlight, she made the decision to hike all the way back to Porteau Cove during the night. There, she was able to flag down a passing vehicle on Highway 99, charge her phone, and notify her family that she was safe. Although she was carrying a SPOT satellite messenger, she chose not to activate it because she felt she was still making progress.
Meanwhile, Lions Bay Search and Rescue, with mutual aid from North Shore Rescue, launched a nighttime helicopter search. Crews used FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) thermal imaging to search for heat signatures while also scanning for headlamps along the Mount Brunswick Trail, the Magnesia Meadows area, and high-risk drainages such as Yahoo Creek.
During the search, crews investigated a thermal and visual contact in Magnesia Meadows after a hiker was observed shining a red headlamp toward the helicopter multiple times. Hoist technicians were inserted to investigate; however, the individual was not the missing hiker.
As search managers started to prepare for an intense ground search starting at 7am, confirmation was received that the missing hiker had safely reached the highway and contacted her family. Search operations were then concluded.
Lessons from this incident
1. Never separate from your group.
If your group becomes spread out, stop and regroup.
2. Every member should be self-sufficient.
Each person should carry their own navigation tools, a fully charged phone, a battery bank, and ideally a satellite communication device. Do not rely on one person carrying the group's essential equipment.
3. If you become lost, stay put.
Continuing to move—especially at night—greatly expands the search area for rescuers and increases your exposure to hazards. Remaining in a safe location makes it significantly easier for Search and Rescue to locate you.
We are relieved this incident ended safely and thank North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopters for their assistance during the overnight search.