Central Fraser Valley SAR Assists Hope SAR (Oct 19 2009 - 13:00)

From Hope Standard: It was a close call for a local mushroom picker surviving being lost in the Silver Skagit over the weekend the incident has triggered Hope Search and Rescue to send out yet another safety message for pickers. This weekends search was very similar to last years search when two pickers were lost in the same area of the Silver Skagit Forest Service Road, says Hope SAR president, Chris Stephens. Mushroom pickers keep their heads down and just go. When they look up they can have no idea of where they are, adds Stephens. The wild pine mushrooms can go for between $5 a pound and $40 per pound to a picker depending on the market. On Friday, a 30-year-old Laidlaw woman searching the forest floor for the delicacy became separated from her group. She was reported missing late Friday night. She was not prepared for overnight, and not prepared for the weather¯ adds Stephens. Over 30 searchers from volunteer SAR groups from Chilliwack, Kent-Harrison, the Central Fraser Valley and Maple Ridge were also contending with Saturdays massive downpour. The volunteers used a formation search technique described as sound sweep¯ Friday night and Saturday morning, scouring the area near where the group of pickers had parked their vehicles. By late Saturday afternoon two SAR members were sent outside of the search area a move that may have saved her life. If it had been one more day, she may not have made it adds Stephens. Her rescue is being attributed to a local teacher whose knowledge of the backwoods was instrumental in getting rescuers into an area far a field of where she was thought to be lost. It was late Saturday afternoon, when SAR member Scott Benwell sought the backup of teacher John Lang of the Fraser-Cascade School District Hope Mountain School. They were about to make an 11.5-kilometer hike from Highway 3 to the Silver Skagit Forest Service Road along the Skagit River Trail ā€“ in the dark. Lang drew on his years of experience of taking students on the long trek with the Mountain School. Along the trail, Benwell and Lang periodically called out for a response from the victim and finally at 10:30 p.m. one came. The woman was found across the Skagit River, luckily only 100 metres off the Skagit River trail, but six or seven kilometers from where she was thought to be picking. We think that she got herself on the other side possibly crossing when the river was low and the water may have come up in all the rain.¯ The rescuers found a log jam wide enough to cross over safely, and wrapped her in an emergency blanket and any clothing that had remained dry. SAR members in the Skagit then headed into the area on ATVs, set up a rope system to assist her back across the river, and finally by 1:30 Sunday morning delivered her to an awaiting ambulance. She was disoriented, hyperthermia was setting if it had been one more night she may not have made it Hope Search and Rescue are reminding mushroom pickers to know the area they are picking in, take a GPS, as well as a compass, and know how to use them. And ā€¯dress appropriately ā€“ be prepared to overnight,ā€¯ adds Stephens.

HIKERS ON SUMAS MOUNTAIN OVERCOME BY DARKNESS (Oct 12 2009 - 04:00)

Two 18-year old teens needed to be rescued by Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue on Sunday evening after their afternoon hike extended into darkness. Shortly before 7:00 p.m. Abbotsford Police contacted CFVSAR regarding two teens that went up Sumas Mountain for an afternoon hike. They were caught off guard when darkness started to overtake them while on their way down the mountain. Once it became too dark for them to travel safely anymore they did the right thing by stopping, calling for Search and Rescue and building a fire. When Search and Rescue crews arrived they quickly sent teams up the mountain to locate the hikers. When search crews found the teens they were in good condition but a little cold and hungry. They were then escorted down the mountain to their vehicle. Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue would like to remind those using the backcountry this time of year that the days are getting shorter and the nights can be very cold. Hikers should be prepared to spend the night even if they only intend on going for a day hike. Weather conditions in mountains are different than in the city and can change quickly. If you think you have what it takes to become a search and rescue volunteer, Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue is holding a recruiting information session at their base, 1594 Riverside Road at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday October 20, 2009

Injured 14 year old Hiker (Sep 24 2009 - 09:00)

News Release by Abbotsford Police. A 14-year-old boy is in serious condition in hospital after he fell nearly 40 feet over a cliff and tumbled several more while hiking on Sumas Mountain early Wednesday evening. Shortly after 9:30 p.m. Abbotsford Police received a call about a hiker on Sumas Mountain (east Abbotsford) who had fallen while hiking with his cousin. When police and B.C. Ambulance paramedics arrived they were led up a steep creek bed by the one cousin who had also fallen but managed to make his way out of the heavy brush to get help. When crews found the 14-year-old boy he was about 500 meters up the mountain, unconscious, and suffering serious injuries. Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue personnel (12) arrived shortly after and with the help of the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service extracted the boy to the base of the mountain where he was air-lifted to a Vancouver area hospital. “This area of Sumas Mountain is extremely treacherous and not intended to be used for hiking,” said Abbotsford Police A/Sgt. Casey Vinet. “It appears the boy lost his footing as he worked his way down the steep terrain.” “The victim is in very serious condition,” said Vinet. “Our thoughts are with the family at what must be an incredibly difficult time.” It is not believed the two were on the mountain for more than a few hours. The second cousin was taken to a local area hospital where he is being treated for less serous injuries. Both hikers are from Chilliwack. A/Sgt. Casey Vinet Abbotsford Police

Team assists in search for Jean Guy Potvin (Sep 18 2009 - 15:00)

Potvin, of Abbotsford, was last seen at Delta Grove Campground in Cultus Lake, B.C. He was scheduled to return home on Sunday. Family members said the absence is uncharacteristic. Potvin requires medication which he has not attended home to obtain. He is a white male, 5′7″ in height, and 150 lbs. He has brown eyes and short brown hair with a receding hair line. Potvin is a paraplegic, and utilizes a back folding wheel chair. He was driving a red 4 door Toyota Camry with BC Licence plate 024 DCT when last seen. His vehicle has not been located either. If you have any information about John or his car please contact the Abbotsford Police 604-859-5225