Squamish Search and Rescue had a little bit of respite over the past two weeks.
On Aug. 23, rescue manager B.J. Chute said call numbers appeared to have died down — at least for now.“Over the last few years, there’s certainly times during the summer where there's a slower or less of a need for search and rescue,” said Chute.
“I hope everyone maintains the appropriate training for the activity they're going to partake in, that they take the essential equipment, and that they do, in fact, leave a trip plan with a trusted friend.”At the time he spoke, there had been four calls since Aug. 9.
The first since that date occurred on Aug. 18, when a mountaineer took a fall on Stadium Glacier.He was found by a local guide and a hiking group, who called 911.
SAR members flew in with a helicopter and airlifted him out to safety.
“He was fairly injured but there wasn’t [anything] long-term or life threatening,” Chute said.
“He did fall a ways down the glacier.”Chute said the mountaineer was fully equipped with safety gear and well-trained, but just happened to have an accident that made him take the fall.
Crews were called out twice the following day.Around 9:30 a.m., rescuers responded after another mountaineer fell on Mount John Clarke, also known as Sun Peak.
While taking the fall, a crampon ended up puncturing that person’s leg.They activated an InReach SOS beacon.
Crews flew in and medevaced the person back to Squamish.Later on Aug. 19, rescuers were called out to the Stawamus Chief’s Second Peak after the member of a hiking group became dehydrated and had leg cramps.
The group tried to get that person extra water, but he was still unable to walk out. As a result, they had to call for help.Crews then flew over to Second Peak, airlifted the hiker out and brought him to paramedics.
Finally, on Aug. 22, rescuers were back at the Chief again, this time to help a hiker who injured her ankle around First Peak.She was assisted down the trail by some hikers in the area.
At the same time, paramedics and SAR members hiked up the trail to meet her.Once they met her, they helped her down the trail to the ambulance.
Despite the decrease in calls, SAR numbers are as high as they’ve ever been.As of Aug. 23, rescuers have been called out 109 times this year. At this time last year, that number was 88. In 2019, the year-to-date number was 69.
Despite the big numbers, Chute said SAR is well-equipped to handle the increases in calls, as it has added to its membership numbers. In exceptional cases, rescuers can also call in help from SAR groups in neighbouring areas.Chute also added that the service is free for anyone to use, so people shouldn’t hesitate to call 911 if they are in trouble.
Finally, he noted that while the volunteer organization is in financially sound shape, it still relies on donations. Anyone willing to chip in can do so at https://squamishsar.org/
