Intense North Shore Rescue video shows just how challenging it can be

North Shore Rescue wants to spread the message of just how dangerous it can be for both hikers and its all-volunteer crew. 

They posted an intense video of a woman as she was rescued earlier this week from the Needles in Lynn Valley Headwaters Park.

Mike Danks, the NSR team leader, says rescuers had been searching for nearly 12 hours when they found her in steep, complex terrain. Instead of rappelling and attempting a technical rope rescue with exhausted crews who worked overmight, the team decided on a long line rescue. 

The video shows North Shore Rescue volunteers being dropped off by a helicopter, harnessing the woman and then flying her back to base.

This is one of the 119 rescues the North Shore Rescue has performed in what has been a busier than usual season — typically it responds to 100 incidents a year.

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Mike Danks says it's not the group's intent to shame anyone who needed a rescue. 

"We're being very careful not to show any face, but it's to show the situations that we are dealing with it," he told CBC.

"It's showing people some pretty heinous terrain, so they can get a snapshot of what we're dealing with it and the techniques we're using in the field to do these rescues."

Danks said they've also been using the videos over the past six months for training purposes.