A midnight search for a lost hiker last week had a happy ending.
A 22-year-old man was hiking alone on Mount Finlayson when he found himself off the beaten trails and lost, just before midnight on July 29. He had spotted a cougar and attempted to get away from the animal, as it appeared to be stalking him. Fearing for his safety, he was able to call for help.
Two West Shore RCMP officers took up the search on foot and scaled the mountain while maintaining cellphone contact with the lost hiker.
They were able to locate the man, who had run out of food and water, after a three-hour search of the mountain. He was escorted to safety without sustaining any injuries.
"We would like to remind the public to be sufficiently equipped and prepared when going for hikes," said RCMP Cpl. Bryson Hill in a press release. “We encourage hikers to travel in pairs. This is especially true when hiking at night, where there is a greater chance of sustaining injuries or having negative wildlife encounters."
katie@goldstreamgazette.com