Hikers heading out to Burke Mountain need to do more than just a few Google searches to prepare before they hit the trails.
That was the message from Coquitlam Search and Rescue (SAR) spokesperson Michael Coyle after the team rescued three teenagers hiking on the Woodland Walk to Sawblade Falls on Sunday.
He told The Tri-City News that the girls aged 17 and 18 did not have appropriate clothing and were fortunate to still be in cellphone range when they realized they were lost.
“They were very cold,” he said. “People don’t think about that. We have had some people become hypothermic in July.”
Pre-hike preparation was also an issue, Coyle added.
He said when the group became lost, they decided to go downhill, which is “never a good idea.” The trio eventually reached Or Creek but the water was too high to cross.
“Later in the season, they could have crossed that creek quite easily,” Coyle said. “But this time of year, it is still snow melt. All the rivers are high, even the small creeks.”
After trying unsuccessfully to cross the creek, the teens phoned 911.
Coquitlam RCMP was able to locate the missing hikers by pinging their cellphone and the Talon helicopter spotted them along the creek a short time later.
The SAR team on the ground escorted the trio across Or Creek and brought them to waiting rescue trucks at a nearby access road.
Coyle said the hikers had only planned to be gone for an hour but the hike to Sawblade Falls was probably closer to two and a half hours.
“We want to make sure people think ahead before they go out,” he said, adding that anybody going on a hike should have the 10 essentials (see inset, above left).
“What looks like a short hike can be pretty involved… It is difficult to gain experience without trying stuff, but the goal is to learn your limitations before hand.”
10 Essentials
1. Flashlight and spare batteries
2. Extra food and water
3. Extra clothing (rain, wind & water protection)
4. Navigational aids
5. Fire starter
6. First aid kit
7. Emergency shelter
8. Sun protection
9. Pocket knife
10. Signalling device
