At approximately 15:45 NSR received a call for a stranded snowboarder in a steep cliff area on Mount Seymour. Having attended the ceremony for Dave Brolin, an RCMP pilot that worked a lot with NSR who recently lost his life in the line of duty, members were picked up via helicopter in Surrey and responded to the call. After a search, the subject was located in an area adjacent to Suicide Gulley, between two cliff bands on steep snow (see google map below). Dealing with a stranded, lightly equipped and cold subject, the Helicopter External Transport (HETs) team was immediately activated, and all other members readied for the possibility of a land based rescue.
With a limited light window, a single rescuer on a 200 foot longline was inserted to the site where the subject was located. Staying on the line, the NSR HETs member quickly connected the subject to the system and evacuated back to the heli pad. Although a challenging call for both rescuers and pilot, the subject was brought to safety without injury. Had the helicopter rescue failed, it is highly likely this subject would not have made it through the night.
Please make sure you are dressed warmly, that you tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back (even when skiing in-bounds!), and do NOT duck rope lines. Also, if you think you might be in trouble, call for help early! The earlier we get the call, the safer it is for rescuers. This was a happy ending, but it could have easily had a very sad outcome.
UPDATE: Melina has returned home safe and sound. Search operations stood down.
NSR has been activated by the RCMP to search for a missing teenager in North Vancouver. Please be on the lookout for her. However, DO NOT APPROACH, call police immediately at 911 if seen. Subjects details are below:
Name: Melina Nordwall
Age: 17
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Long straight blonde hair
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 128 lbs
Clothing: Black hoodie, Black sweat pants with a stripe down the side, black running shoes with red laces.
Point Last Seen: 400 Blk 15 ST. @ 21:30 Jan 23
In consultation with the Canadian Avalanche Center (CAC) forecaster, NSR is putting out the word that backcountry users need to be very conservative this week, until conditions stabilize. This is not the time to be heading out for backcountry activities that put you at risk. Keep terrain traps and slope in mind even when on marked trails. Going out and getting into trouble puts the rescuers at risk too.
The CAC forecast is currently high at and below treeline (Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended).
Please monitor the CAC forecast here.
See North Shore News article here.
North Shore Rescue members were involved in a rescue of 4 stranded snowboarders who ducked a rope line on Cypress. 2 members were dropped off via helicopter just minutes before civil twilight (the time when the helicopter has to head back to base) and reached the subjects within a couple of hours in a steep, icy section of Australian Gulley (see map below). They were without a doubt in imminent risk, and it required a skilled group of 9 members in total to escort the 4 out. The drainages in this area are named after fatalities that occurred within them. This particular drainage has claimed a number of lives in very similar conditions.
NSR would like to remind everyone to obey the signage on the ski hill, and make sure that if you do get lost that you stay put. Descending further is a fatal mistake. Also, when you head out into the mountains, remember to always tell a friend where you are going, and when to expect you back. Lastly, if you are in trouble, don’t hesitate to call for help, as any delay makes our jobs harder. Our SAR helicopters do not fly at night, and as such, delays that put us closer to civil twilight add risk….not to mention night operations in ground SAR are also more risky.
See media coverage:
Global
North Shore News
North Shore Outlook
North Shore Rescue was honoured yesterday with a Unit Citation from the Vancouver Police Chief.
As described by the Vancouver Police the award was presented for -
All the invaluable assistance they have provided
to the Vancouver Police over the years, the members
of the North Shore Search and Rescue team are
awarded the Chief Constable’s Unit Citation.
PDF News Release
Below – NSR Team Members with Jim Chu and Gregor Robertson
Below: Tim Jones and NSR supporter MLA Jane Thornthwaite
NSR would like to thank the Vancouver Police, Chief Constable Chu and Mayor Gregor Robertson for this award, it was greatly appreciated!!
The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (http://www.orcbc.ca/) has just published its latest newsletter, it includes an article on North Shore Rescue.
Snippet…
I met Tim Jones in the City of
North Vancouver’s Works Yard
where North Shore Rescue
stores its equipment and parks
its trucks. During our meeting
Tim was surrounded by practical
rescue gear of all shapes and
sizes. He was tuned in to what
was happening in the North
Shore Rescue Team’s widespread
area of operations as he
probably is for much of the time
when he is not working at his
“day job”. Few days go by
without some incident involving
the Team. The day before we
met Tim was helicoptered….
Click to view the rest of the article in PDF form - Outdoor Recreation Council Report-Fall-Winter_2011
