Coquitlam Search and Rescue is crediting new longline equipment and training for a series of successful rescues on mountain peaks in the region, including one Monday evening when a hiker was pulled from a ledge near Evans Peak in Maple Ridge's Golden Ears Park.
"They could have spent all night trying to find her, wait for daylight and wait for place where we could pick her up," said Michael Coyle, SAR spokesperson. "This just cut that down to 20 minutes."
The call came in at 6:20 p.m. from Ridge Meadows SAR to help in the rescue of a solo woman who was stranded on the ledge with cliffs above and below her. Fortunately, she was uninjured and had some battery life in her cell phone, which she used to alert the Talon Helicopters pilot to her position.
Two rescuers were lowered into position, snapped the woman into a special device for carrying people and the trio was lifted to safety.
It was the second longline rescue in a month, as Coquitlam SAR volunteers aided their Ridge Meadows counterparts in the same area in April, underscoring the benefits of purchasing the $50,000 equipment, Coyle said.
The equipment is also useful as a backup safety measure for search and rescue volunteers looking for people in challenging terrain.
In all the equipment, which includes special straps used to secure the longline, harnesses and other aids for use when people are injured, has been invaluable and used several times since it was purchased three years ago. (One year, the equipment couldn't be used because it had to be certified.)
Coyle said the hiking season has begun and cautions people to carry the "10 essentials" on every hike into the back woods, including: a flashlight and spare batteries; extra food, water and clothing; navigation aids; a fire starter; a first aid kit; emergency shelter; sun protection; a pocket knife; and a signalling device.
He also hopes the addition of trail markers on Diez Vista and Eagle Mountain will prevent hikers from getting lost in the area.
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