View Tasks from Past

Lynn Headwaters Task March 2006

DAS Boots

A picture is worth a thousand words. A German foreign language student took on more than he was prepared for  in trying to complete the Hanes Loop Trail from Lynn Valley to Grouse Mountain. In the process, he ran into waist deep snow and had to retreat into Hanes Creek. As a result his boots and socks became soaked and they froze. The student had enough presence of mind to understand that severe frostbite would ensue. He took his boots and socks off and wrapped them in a small towel and then put them in a small back back. At this point he was now "Going Nowhere". Due to clear but still freezing weather conditions he was able to  tough out the night and not die from hypothermia until he was tracked down and rescued by NSR members. The subject and his boots were then flown out by helicopter. A big thanks to Coquitlam SAR, Grouse Resorts and GVRD for mutual aid support.

Grouse Mountain - Mosquito Creek Task Feb 2006

Very lucky snowboarder is spotted on first pass by NSR members in low flying Talon AS350B ASTAR flown by pilot Brian Douglas. Her ski goggles with reflective coating reflected off the sun and caught the attention of NSR spotters. NSR members hot hover exited near subject and moved to her using snow shoes in waist deep snow.

Lynn Headwaters Task February 2006

What No Helicopter !

NSR members and GVRD Park Rangers evacuate female hiker from Lynn Headwaters. The hiker who had slipped on an icy trail suffering from a suspected ankle fracture. NSR members with crampons and ice axes responded using a special stretcher with a detachable all terrain wheel. The female hiker was transported by BC Ambulance Service Paramedics to Vancouver General Hospital.

Drifter Creek Gully Grouse Mountain Task - February 2006

After an intense nightime search using parachute flares, loud hailers and human tracking a male hiker/snowshoer is found deceased early the following morning by RCMP Air 5 deep down in Drifter Creek Gully. The unfortunate man was attempting to traverse a 50 to 60 degree slope with instep crampons only when he slipped and fell approximately 800 plus feet. The deceased man was extracted from the gully by NSR HFRS rescue leader Wade Shaw and Mike Coyle from Coquitlam SAR ( first operational HFRS task for Mike). Special thanks to both Grouse Resorts and GVRD Watershed Management for all their support and assistance in the search. Also many thanks to North Van RCMP and BC Coroners Service for their support in this operation.

Capilano River Cleveland Dam Task - Feburary 2006

Young man who is tragically found deceased by NSR Kayak Team member Jeff Yarnold just below Cleveland Dam. NSR HFRS water recovery team members Mike Danks and Gord Ferguson are inserted on 200 ' long line by pilot Brian Douglas flying a Talon AS350B helicopter with NSR Spotter Ron Royston. Due to intense noise levels in canyon NSR HFRS Coordinator Tim Jones conducted tactical radio operations from a vantage point on Cleveland Dam in order to guide the helicopter into narrow canyon area. Special thanks to the GVRD for reducing the water flow into the Capilano River. Many thanks to WVPD, North Van RCMP and BC Coroners Service for all their support in this operation.

Pitt Lake Helicopter Flight Rescue System (HFRS) Task - February 2006

Joint Operations by Ridge Meadows SAR,North Shore Rescue HFRS members and Talon Helicopters results in successful extraction of injured male tree surveyor from steep tall timber terrain near Pitt Lake.

Ridge Meadows SAR responded in their rescue boat and effectively treated the subject on scene for a serious leg fracture and hypothermia. On the ground were Steve Lovestead, Pete Johnson, Mike McKinley, Rob
Blokzyl. In the boat was Alex Lord.

Ridge SAR MGR Rick Laing upon scene assessment called in NSR/Talon to assist.

This precision HFRS long line was conducted by Talon pilot Peter Murray and NSR HFRS spotter Al Mcmordie in his AS350B ASTAR.NSR HFRS rescuer Tim Jones was inserted on a 250 ' line under radio control procedures and tagline assist. This rescue was not without danger as an unstable snag and subsequent large falling branch were encountered on extraction.

Cypress Falls Park Task - Jan 2006

A happy ending for two hikers and their three dogs who spent the mid afternoon and the better part of the evening lost and bush bashing in Cypress Falls Park. With the help of a friend who went looking for them , NSR and West Vancouver Police they were retrieved wet, tired and happy to be out.

Burnaby Mountain Task SFU - Mutual Aid request by Coquitlam SAR for NSR HFRS team - Jan 2006

NSR HFRS members Tim Jones and Mike Danks are extracted by 200 foot long line by Talon Pilot Ronn Palley in a Talon AS350B. The two NSR members recovered two deceased young SFU students who tragically had fallen to their deaths while hiking down the north side of Burnaby Mountain. Coquitlam SAR and RCMP  Air 5 had previously launched an extensive land and air search and as a result spotted the pair in a steep gully area.

Cypress Provincial Park - Tony Baker Gully Task - January 2006

The weather at its best!!!

WVPD Mobile Police Station used for the first time for SAR task

Tony Baker Gully from the air

A young male snowboarder Danny Epp, was reported missing by his snowboarding friend on Jan 8 after the two failed to rendezvous for the trip home. During this period a snow storm with high winds created near white out conditions. North Shore Rescue activated by West Vancouver Police commenced a joint search with Cypress Ski Patrol. Operating on only Point Last Scene high on the mountain and with no tracks or clues to go on, NSR teams were deployed in probable ridge areas overlooking now deemed high avalanche risk gullies. Horrendous weather conditions resulted in 6 very experienced and equipped members developing mild hypothermia . Their field assignments in to Tony Baker which normally would last 5 hours lasted 12 hours due to the weather and snow conditions. These members are to be commended for their fortitude. By early morning Jan 9th a full scale search was underway with extensive mutual aid callouts for SAR members with mountaineering skills. On the afternoon of  Jan 10th a field team from Squamish SAR specifically tasked to a target area of Tony Baker Gully, found Danny deceased. An incredible flying feat by Talon Pilot Brian Douglas brought Danny out before nightfall.

All the members of NSR wish to offer our sincere condolences to the Epp family and their friends for the loss of Danny.

NSR would like to thank the following teams, agencies and organizations for their fantastic response to this most challenging task :

• West Vancouver Police
• Cypress Bowl Resorts
• RCMP Air 5
• Talon Helicopters
• BC Parks
• GVRD Watershed Management and Security
• Coquitlam SAR
• CARDA
• Lions Bay SAR
• Squamish SAR
• Ridge Meadows SAR
• Whistler SAR
• Chilliwack SAR
• All Media

Daniel's parents and family have released to NSR for posting on our website some photos and a eulogy of Daniel.

Daniel Graham Epp - November 1983 - January 2006

Danny was born and raised in the Prarie Provinces where he loved the outdoors. As a child and teen he was passionate about wilderness adventure, rock climbing and snowboarding; he improvised in the flatlands but often made trips with his parents and brothers to the Rocky Mountains for the real thing. His passion seemed fulfilled in 1999 when his family moved to the Lower mainland of BC where he had year round access to the mountains and his favourite past times.

Danny was known for the twinkle in his eye and quick smile to brighten up anyones day. He was a friendly, calm and intelligent young man who persistently persued perfection in his individual sports and independant survival skills. Unfortunately, the combination of his challenge seeking nature and severe winter weather conditions ended his life in that cold dark January blizzard. The severity of those weather conditions was attested to by the courageous rescue volunteers who threw their own lives on the line in their attempts to resue him.

The Epp family expresses their admiration and deepest gratitude to the many professionals and volunteers who personally risked so much: paying the physical and emotional price in their all-out attempt to rescue him. We are grateful to those involved in the daring and difficult recovery which allowed us the closure. Danny's quiet confidence and courage was rooted in his belief and love of God and in His creation, where Danny's Lord decided to call him home. We thank the Cypress Mountain Resort for providing a venue for our son to live out his passion and for the gracious care provided during the days of uncertainty and hours of waiting.

Danny's peaceloving nature will be missed by the many loving friends and his family members who will meet him one day in eternity. This isn't goodbye Danny, but ....

"Until we meet you again".

Mt Gardner / Bowen Island Task - December  2005 

NSR responds with snowmobiles and field team members to Bowen Island to assist Bowen Fire Dept and BC Ambulance Service in bringing female hikerwho had collapsed on the summit of Mt. Gardner.

Buntzen ( Lake ) Creek Task - September 2005.

Grouse Mountain- BCMC Trail Task - August 2005

A female hiker sustained a serious fracture dislocate of her ankle while descending the BCMC Trail. Passing hikers rendered assistance to the injured hiker until a joint task force of NSR and North Vancouver District Fire arrived on scene. The injured hiker's ankle was splinted in position and she was given IV morphine for severe pain by a BC Ambulance Service ALS Paramedic attached to NSR.  She was then evacuated in a North Vancouver District Fire wheeled basket stretcher using a rope belay to an awaiting BC Ambulance Paramedic Unit and then taken to Lions Gate Hospital where she under went immediate surgery . Special thanks to all the hikers who helped out!!!!

NSR in coordination with the Canadian Armed Forces 442 Sq, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), BC Parks and Mt. Seymour Resorts attempt to track down an Emergency Locator Transmitter signal on Mt. Seymour. The search was stood down when the signal was confirmed to be coming form Washington State and being reflected off one of the massive communication towers on Mt. Seymour. Above is a CASARA volunteer holding an ELT tracking device.

Lynn Canyon Task, June 2005

NSR, RCMP Dive Team, Talon Helicopters and Lynn Canyon Park Rangers conduct a joint search and rescue operation to locate and recover the body of a male victim who drowned in North Vancouver's Lynn Canyon.

Grouse Mountain Task, May 2005

David Koch, an American businessman disappeared on North Shore's Grouse Mountain May 25th after taking the Skyride to the alpine area. An intense land and air search and media alert was initiated by NSR on the morning of May 27th within 30 minutes upon NSR being alerted by RCMP.This extensive search continued for 12 days involving the following resources:

• GVRD Watershed Security and Fire Suppression
• GVRD Parks Rangers
• Talon Helicopters
• RCMP Air 1
• RCMP Police Dog Service
• Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association (CARDA)
• Grouse Resorts
• Several PEP Volunteer Search and Rescue Teams from South West Region, South East Region and Vancouver Island Region.
• North Shore Emergency Management Office
• US National Park Rangers
• Several Convergent Volunteers
• The Family and Friends of David Koch

On June 7th a convergent volunteer "Brian" found David. The Koch Family and NSR deeply appreciates Brian's efforts and compassion in bringing closure to this very tragic event. In addition, the Koch Family want to also extend their deep appreciation to all search and rescue personal involved in the search for David.

NSR, Talon helicopter, BC Ambulance Service and GVRD security staff coordinated together to save the life of a severely hypothermic female (foreign student). This subject was left by her boy friend in the alpine back country after both had spent the night lost with out any proper clothing or mountaineering gear. The boyfriend blindly hiked out, luckily stumbling across a special NSR escape trail. He was spotted by GVRD security staff in the Capilano Watershed who alerted NSR and BC Ambulance Service. A HFRS longline rescue was conducted by NSR with and AS350B2 Talon helicopter with very little time to spare due to marginal weather conditions. The subjects core temperature was 27.5 degrees Celsius.

Sunshine Coast Task March 2005

Five NSR members and extensive gear cache are scrambled to deploy by a Talon AS350B2 helicopter from North Shore to assist Sunshine Coast SAR in their search for a despondent female who went missing the night before. From time of request to deployment by air -30 minutes. A testimony of preplans for VHF communications, members carrying their gear and radios with them, designated helispots and a responsive helicopter company.

Lynn Peak Task - February 2005 - "A Call with a Happy Ending"

(Picture released with subjects permission)

In comparison to the sadness which occurred several times in January, NSR Members and GVRD Park Rangers conducted successful rescue of male hiker who lost his way down from Lynn Peak in Lynn Headwaters Park. The subject who happens to be a Rabbi from Vancouver called 911 on his celtel and was patched through to NSR SAR Manager Tim Jones. Jones was very impressed with the calmness and willingness of the subject in retracing his track back to the main trail. The subject was spotted from the air by Talon helicopters, NSR members and GVRD Park Rangers were deployed to intercept and escort him out after re-hydration.

Tony Baker Gully - Mt. Strachan Task Jan 25, 2005

Three NSR members perform a hot hover exit into Tony Baker Gully via a Talon Helicopter AS350B piloted by owner and rescue pilot Peter Murray. The NSR team is being dropped off to recover the body of Ben Brabner, an extreme sport skier which had been spotted from the air by the same team only moments before. This young man from Wales met mishap on Jan 10th when it appears he attempted a jump off a cliff of over 50 feet in an uncontrolled area of Mt. Starchan named Tony Baker Gully. He was reported missing on Jan 24th to Vancouver City Police who immediately started a missing person investigation. NSR and West Vancouver Police when contacted on Jan 25th found the young man within one hour after activation.

Upon recovery of this young man a further search of the same gully produced an abandoned snowboard which was retrieved the following day by a NSR team inserted by hot hover exit via Talon Helicopters.The snowboard was turned over to West Vancouver Police who to date have had no response as to the owner despite media releases.

Ben's parents and family have released to NSR for posting on our website a picture and a eulogy of Ben and how much he is loved and missed by friends and family.

Benjamin Nicholas McOstrich Brabner April 1970 – January 2005 Ben was born in the UK and moved to Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales in 1972 with his family. As a boy he threw himself into all sorts of sports including riding, rugby, hockey, bicycling. Even though Ben was diagnosed with diabetes at 8, he never let this interfere with his sports. His first skiing trip was when he was 9 years old – he was hooked. Ben had no fear and learned quickly. By the time Ben got residency in Vancouver 2 years ago, he had skied extensively in Europe and North America. He loved living in Vancouver and being able to take himself off to the mountains for the day skiing in winter or hiking in summer. Ben was a free spirit. His passion was skiing and he was courageous enough to push himself to the limit whilst battling with a debilitating disease. His family loved him, he made everyone laugh and will be sadly missed by his whole family and his many friends in the UK, Canada and Europe.

Indian Arm - Shone Creek Task - Jan 21, 2005

Two NSR HFRS members are staged to be inserted via long line by Talon Helicopters rescue pilot Ronn Palley flying an AS350B into a steep creek canyon area of Shone Creek. This is required  to recover the body of a young American backcountry skier, Jared Stanely, who went missing in a snow storm on Jan 11 off of Mt. Seymour . This followed an intense helicopter based search starting on January 20th, which involved RCMP Air 1, Talon Helicopters, and CTV’s Chopper 9. NSR received unbelievable support from GVRD Watershed and LSCA Staff. In addition, special heat sensing devices were supplied and manned by both Talon Helicopters and GVRD Staff during this helicopter search.

The tactical helicopter recovery operation involved two helicopters and 12 NSR members. This was conducted from the settlement of Brighton Beach on the Indian Arm. NSR wishes to express our deepest thanks to the residents who assisted in this operation.

NSR are would also like to thank Jared's friends from UBC who were deeply affected by Jared's death. They provided valuable information to NSR throughout this search operation.

Jared parents and family have released to NSR for posting on our website some photos and a eulogy of Jared and how much he is loved and missed by friends and family.

	Jared Conner Stanley , Our Son, Our Friend, Our Pride and Joy, Our Unbearable Sorrow
The dominant thing everyone remembers about Jared is his insatiable desire for knowledge. The defining question in Jared’s life and his death was “Why?” Jared wanted to know the how and why of everything, from the simplest tool or mechanical device to the incredibly complex course of events leading to an avalanche. He questioned everything, but always in a respectful, reverent way. He considered the quest of knowledge sufficiently rewarding for the sheer joy of discovery. His tastes were diverse and noble, he raged against the inequities of life and defended the down-trodden and unfortunate, while celebrating the accomplishments of the learned. His quest for the answers to “Why?” led Jared to the mountains, as it has so many extraordinary men over the years. With Jared’s untimely loss, we, those who loved him, ask aloud, “Why?” Why, Lord, in the prime of his life? Why, on this particular day, so close behind the unspeakable joys we shared just days before at the blissful wedding of his beloved sister, Leanna? Why take this exceptional young man, when he had just come into his passion and life-long fulfillment? These questions will not be answered in our time, on this Earth. The answers are for another place, another time. Jared’s life was short in years, but in the end we know he had found his place in time. Had he written the script for the end of his life, he certainly would have chosen the mountains he so dearly loved. Good-Bye our beloved son, brother, grand-son, nephew and friend. You are lost to us, but you shall never be forgotten!

North Vancouver - Mud Slide Task - Jan 19, 2005

Before there is any discussion of NSR's response we would like to acknowledge the key role that several residence who lived on Tree Top Lane and Chapman Way who found and saved the life of the male victim in the tragic mud slide.

Twenty NSR members played a major role as part of a municipal and regional response to a mudslide in the Riverside Drive residential area of North Vancouver . The mudslide took the life of a long time local resident and seriously injured her husband.

NSR members along with North Vancouver District Firefighters, RCMP and brave local residents were first on the debris field that was treated as an "Avalanche CODE ALPHA" response by NSR.  . The impressive list of NSR resources provided  promptly to this task were as follows :

• Twenty very disciplined field equipped team members each with their personally issued portable radios ,wearing helmets, safety glasses/gloves, headlamps, high viz safety vests. These members deployed and staged in such a manner that has brought intense pride to the founders of our team !!!!!
• NS 1 Command Vehicle
• NS 4 Rescue Vehicle
• NS 5 Off Road Vehicle
• Stretcher carrying 6x6 ATV
• Several very experienced advanced first aid members along with several stretchers, oxygen units, hypothermia treat kits and packaging equipment
• Two Advanced Life Support Paramedics along with monitors and advanced airway and medical kits
• Debris Field Spotter/Guard teams along with high intensity spotlights and alert equipment
• Avalanche Transceivers ( provided to Fire, RCMP, Coroner, Heavy Equipment Operators,Geo Tech Engineers and the Vancouver City Urban Search and Rescue Team USAR
• NSR members with team parabolic acoustic devices listen for potential victims voices in the early hours of response
• Site Tactical Communications that tied in all agencies on site ( a major factor in this successful search and rescue operation)
• MSAT Communications ( as both cellular communications coverage and the overwhelming of existing local cel sites were very problematic)
• An off site NSR Resource Manager who coordinated logistics throughout the day from his residence via NSR's extensive VHF radio repeater system.This enabled direct communications with the NSR Operational SAR Manager to access his resource request via a secure telephone land line.
• Municipal Platt Maps
• Avalanche Probe Teams ( using heavy solid duty probes located in both NS1 and NS4))
• Emergency Lighting Units and  10 generators
• Communication link to the North Shore EOC via VE7 NSR Amateur Radio operators 
• Coordination of RCMP Air 1 that proved a valuable resource with its Night Sun
• Coordination of CTV Chopper 9 ( the province's only ENG helicopter) in providing aerial DVD feed to Rescue and Engineering officials
• Coordination of Talon Helicopters used for manpower and spotting as per an avalanche response scenario

This response to the mudslide represented the first deployment of the Vancouver City based Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR). This federally, provincially and municipally funded team comprises policemen, fire fighters, paramedic, engineers, doctors. etc. Their expertise and professionalism were well noticed by all.

Lynn Headwaters Task January 19th 2005

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Two NSR HFRS members are inserted into very steep technical terrain by Talon Helicopters AS350B2 rescue pilot Brian Douglas, in order to recover the body of young Ben Mostardi of North Vancouver.This very gifted athlete accidentally fell off a cliff band while in the area of the Nor Van Falls.

Ben was found after an intense search involving NSR, Talon Helicopters, RCMP Air 1, GVRD Lynn Headwaters Park Rangers, GVRD Watershed Security, GVRD LSCA Staff, friends and family of the Mostardi’s, Staff from the Northshore Mentally Handicapped Association, District of North Vancouver Park Rangers, and the North Vancouver RCMP. NSR would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all those involved as Ben was given the best chance of rescue that day.

Ben Mostardi August 7, 1971 – January 9, 2005

Ben Mostardi, age 33, died suddenly from a severe fall on Sunday, January 9th while hiking into the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver .

Ben was on his way up the mountain to meet up with his North Shore Athletics’ running group when he became lost taking a “short cut”. Carrying his bike with him, Ben had hiked 6 km up the Headwaters Trail to Norvan Falls then had started up the Coliseum Route where the accident occurred.

Ben’s body was located and recovered at dusk on Monday, January 10th, through the courageous efforts of members of the North Shore Rescue Team and with the assistance of staff from the North Shore Assn. for the Mentally Handicapped.

Ben was living in a group home under the auspices of the NSAMH, was a long-term employee at Ya Ya’s Oyster Bar in Horseshoe Bay and a well-recognized cyclist by residents in his North Shore community.

Ben had a tremendous love of the outdoors and his native culture. Ben loved to cycle, hike, run and work out at Gold’s Gym. He had participated in many Vancouver Sun Runs and Vancouver Marathon. He was a dedicated competitor on the BC Special Olympic Floor Hockey Team and won medals as far away as Prince Edward Island and Alaska .

Ben lived and died, doing what he most loved and always giving his full, all-out, best effort. His life can be best summed up by the four words inscribed on his gold medal he and his team mates won in Alaska : SKILL, COURAGE, SHARING, JOY.

He will be deeply missed by his mother, father, 4 sisters, 2 brothers, relatives, extended family at Padwick House, his hockey team mates, his co-workers at Ya Ya’s Oyster Bar and many, many friends.

Ben's father, Steve Mostardi released to NSR, for posting on our website, a picture and brief history of Ben and his life and what he accomplished and the lives he touched.

North Arm of Strachan Creek Task - Mt. Strachan Dec 30 2004

An example of inter agency radio communications capability and a many thanks to the Charros Foundation for making this a possibility.

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Two NSR HFRS members are inserted with no time to spare into steep technical terrain by Talon Helicopters owner and rescue pilot Peter Murray via long line. The NSR HFRS team rescued a very lucky pair of young men (snowboarder and skier) who intentionally skied out of the controlled area of Cypress Mountain into this treacherous gully area. the pair were caught on a cliff band and quickly became soaked and hypothermic in very poor weather. Luckily, they were able to make a cel tel call out to West Vancouver Police who in turn promptly patched them through to North Shore Rescue. NSR in turn immediately hailed Cypress Ski Patrol Head Chris Frampton on his portable radio programmed with the NSR Strachan Repeater frequency. Chris and his fellow patrollers were guided to the general area where it was thought they via to cel tel call. Chris and his patrollers confirmed separate type of tracks tracks and then established voice contact with the pair within 25 minutes of radio contact with NSR who were still on en route to a helicopter staging area.

Chris and his patrollers provided key weather and site information to NSR and the Talon pilot via the NSR Strachan Repeater that allowed a very timely rescue via HFRS with only 15 minutes to spare due to an incoming cloud system that lasted for days afterward. Had this radio repeater system not been in in place both subjects would at best become deeply hypothermic (mostly likely dead) and an epic multi hour rescue using 40 to 60 volunteers and over 3000' of rope would have been required (from past task experience in same cliff area).

The credit for this very expensive repeater site is due solely from the funding made available by Ian and Rosemary Mottershead of the Charros Foundation. It is with deepest thanks from NSR to the Charros Foundation for this funding. Two young men are alive today because of this !!!

Another special thanks to GVRD Watershed security staff who help coordinate police and ambulance movement to the forward helicopter staging area.

Mt. Seymour- First Peak Task Dec 20, 2004

NSR members evacuate an injured hiker via a Cascade alpine basket stretcher (with snow fins for tracking). The Vancouver woman had suffered a serious shoulder and knee injury from fall on an icy slope area below the First Peak of Mt. Seymour's backcountry. Luckily, the woman and her boyfriend were able to make a cel tel call out for help in time for a NSR team and their gear to be dropped off by Talon Helicopters into the area before darkness.The subject was given morphine for her pain, treated for hypothermia and evacuated out to Seymour Resorts Ski area where she was transferred by Ski patrol snowmobile to an awaiting BC Ambulance Paramedic Unit.

Grouse Mtn - BCMC Trail Oct 2004

Female Hiker who has suffered a fractured ankle from a fall on a steep section the BCMC Trail on Grouse Mtn is evacuated via an AS350 B2 Talon helicopter using the Helicopter Flight Rescue System (HFRS) in a "screamer" suit with a NSR member. Tremendous support from Grouse Patrol and Alpine Staff !

Mt. Seymour - Elsay Lake Trail Task Sept 2004

A 62 year old female hiker sustained a serious fracture to her lower leg after falling in a steep rugged segment of the Elsay Lake Trail on Mt. Seymour almost 24 hours earlier.The subject and her husband spent a reasonably warm night after starting a small fire to keep warm. The husband hiked out to raise the alarm with Mt. Seymour Resorts. NSR members are hot hover exited high above hiker and after splinting and pain medication is given, the hiker is packaged and long lined out (HFRS) via Talon Helicopter's venerable 206BIII Jet ranger to a forward staging area nearby. The subject is then placed in the same helicopter and airlifted to an awaiting BCAS Ambulance staged at Mt. Seymour Resorts . NSR deeply thanks passing hikers Sally and her dad Bob for all there help on scene.

UBC Pacific Spirit Park Task Sept 2004

NSR members coordinate close gird search performed by SFU archeological students in search of human remains. This operation was supervised by an RCMP Forensic member from RCMP E Division HQ.

NSR, Squamish SAR and ACMG Guides assist CAF 442 Search and Rescue Squadron SAR Techs and their new Cormorant helicopter in response to spinal injured climber on the southern aspect of Serratus. A very big machine with incredible down wash and one outstanding ride out for the last SAR Tech to be winched out without a tag line !!

Grouse Grind Task July 2004

A 76 year old man suffering from severe leg spasms caused by dehydration was treated with intravenous and massage therapy by a BC Ambulance Service Paramedic attached to North Shore Rescue. In a joint effort by NSR, Grouse Resorts and passing hikers this man was then essentially carried upright off the trail from the 3/4 mark where he had been forced to stop due to the leg spasms.NSR would like to especially thank passing hikers who offered assistance on this call.

Grouse Grind Task - July 2004

Female tourist is treated for dehydration with intravenous fluids by a BCAS Advanced Life Support Paramedic attached to NSR. The victim was then evacuated up the Grind on a wheeled basket stretcher with belay and eventually transported to hospital..Great joint effort between NSR, Grouse Resorts staff and passing hikers!

Grouse Grind Task July 2004 - Exhausted six year old hiker is carried of by NSR members who were conducting nightly patrol on behalf of the GVRD. Father was very appreciative and very thankful to the team.

Mt. Seymour Neds Atomic Dustbin Task for Spinal Injured MTB - June 2004

NSR and North Vancouver District Fire conduct joint operation mountain biker who sustained serious spinal injuries. An BCAS advanced life support paramedic attached to NSR administers intravenous morphine to control severe pain before the subject is transported out on specially equipped stretcher with a travel wheel. The subject was transported directly to Vancouver General Spinal Cord Unit.

Missing Female Hiker Cypress Falls Park West Vancouver
A Story of Self Rescue - June 2004

(Released with permission from subject) NSR, West Vancouver Police and Talon Helicopters launched an immediate search for a female hiker who became separated from her husband while hiking in this trail system in the western area of West Vancouver. This robust and determined resident of West Vancouver drove through chest high bush for two hours to reach a fire access road where a passing couple found her just minutes before a NSR field team arrived on scene.She sustained a serious avulsion wound to her lower leg and was given immediate first aid by NSR prior to going to hospital for further treatment.

Search for Missing Man suffering from Alzheimer's - May 2004

(printed with permission of the wife) The face of Alzheimer's today.This man and his bike do not fit the typical profile the general public thinks about when it comes to people with Alzheimers Disease.It is just not the frail elderly lady or gentlemen instead it is more and more the following reality ;This is healthy looking and very fit 62 year old man who was the subject of an intense 24hr search starting from the North Shore's Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve where he had gone missing while riding his bike with his wife. It continued with sightings as far as 30 km away until he was spotted on a rural access road near the Indian Arm by a couple who saw media broadcasts of him. The key to success of finding Alzheimer's patients who go missing is the media and public and this was the perfect example of how a media and poster blitz resulted on his being located safe and sound.NSR encourages all families who have a loved one suffering from this terrible disease to carry a picture or CD at all times so that in the unfortunate event of their loved one goes missing, the police and search and rescue can get this photo to the media and in poster format quickly.

Grouse Mtn Baden Powell Trail Task May 2004

Female subject who fractured her ankle is evacuated by wheeled stretcher in joint rescue between NSR and North Vancouver District Fire and Rescue.

Goat Mtn. Task May 2004

One of two stranded hikers found on steep cliff band. This subject was hypothermic and dehydrated. Field Team reclothes and hydrates subject prior to land evacuation

Buntzen Lake Task May 2004

Search for ill hiker. Subject is carried by stretcher into gully by Coquitlam SAR where small opening in tall timber is found. Subject is long lined (HFRS) by NSR HFRS member. Great joint effort by the two teams.

Mt. Fromme Task April 2004