16-year-old hiker dies after fall in Lions Bay area
Teen fell down steep, snowy gully near Yahoo Creek on Hat Mountain, SAR says
A teen has died after they fell down a gully during a hike in the Lions Bay area, officials say.
According to a release from Sea to Sky RCMP, officers, alongside members from Lions Bay Search and Rescue and North Shore Rescue, responded to a call of two hikers who had become separated and lost around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
One of the hikers was located and rescued by helicopter, while the other was found unresponsive. They were taken to the hospital but, despite life-saving efforts, police said they did not survive.
Both hikers were 16 years old, according to a statement posted to social media by North Shore Rescue.
Lions Bay SAR team leader Brent Calkin said the teens were coming down from hiking the Mount Brunswick Trail when one of them fell and slipped in a steep and snowy gully near the Yahoo Creek area on Hat Mountain.
He said there have been a number of incidents in the past few weeks of people slipping and falling in icy and snowy conditions, with several recent deaths.
"It absolutely terrifies me what the potential is for slipping and falling in the backcountry right now," said Calkin.
He said it is a treacherous time of year, with snow and ice on many trails. He stressed those who are not experts should stick to trails where snow has already melted.
"When something is easy to climb in August, it is a completely different proposition this time of year where it's still winter in the mountains and summer in the city," said Calkin.
Following the teen's death, the RCMP said it is working with the B.C. Coroners Service to advance the investigation.
"Our thoughts and condolences go out to the friends and family of the deceased," said Sgt. Dallas Langley of the Sea to Sky RCMP.