October 2008 - Mutual Aid Injured Female Backpacker Mt. Unnecessary Trail


North Shore Rescue along with Coquitlam SAR, Squamish SAR and Ridge Meadows SAR assisted Lions Bay SAR in a well coordinated rescue of an 62 old female backpacker from 4300' on the Mt. Unnecessary Trail .

The subject had sustained a serious ankle fracture at dusk the day before. The foul weather operation saw a total of 30 SAR volunteers, some spending almost 18 hours in performing this arduous task of accessing the subject with loads of gear and then lowering the subject in a stretcher using a multiple rope belay/station system.

The subject had to be given morphine throughout the rescue for her severe pain by a NSR member who is also a BCAS ALS Paramedic.

The subject and her son were well prepared for this emergency having a tent and sleeping bags thus making it as safe as possible on the rescuers in preparing for a daylight evacuation. Still the logistics of food and electrolytes for the rescuers was a major priority due to the energy expended by rescuers for this 8 hour lower on a very steep rough "trail" .

Great work by everyone!!!!!!

(Submitted by Tim Jones)