Photo: Vernon Search and Rescue’s Helicopter Winch Rescue Team helped evacuate a rescued skier near Big White
A man who failed to return from skiing had search crews out in the Big White area Wednesday night.
The teams were called out around 8 pm.
“Search teams from Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and Kelowna Snowmobile Club volunteers mustered in the area, and one of the teams located his tracks north of the ski area near Two John Road,” says Search Manager Dave Crawford.
The searchers followed the tracks to a tributary of the West Kettle River where the man was found about 2 am.
Crawford says the man was in good condition.
“The subject was in good condition but was cold and very tired, so the decision was made to hunker down and spend the night. Search crews lit a fire and remained with the subject until first light this morning when they planned to evacuate the subject with the help of the winch rescue team Air Rescue One from Vernon SAR and Wildcat Helicopters.”
Crawford says it was “a long tough night for the search teams in the field.”
“We are very grateful for the assistance of the Kelowna Snowmobile Club and the Big White Ski Patrol. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to tell someone where you are going, don’t travel alone, and take the 10 Essentials of Backcountry Travel,” adds Crawford
A full description of the 10 Essentials and a new app for Trip Planning is available on the Adventure Smart website www.adventuresmart.ca.
