1 snowmobiler dead, 2 backcountry skiers rescued in eastern BC

A BC RCMP detachment is reminding people to prepare for the worst case scenario and be extra cautious in the backcountry after responding to a fatal snowmobile accident and a separate rescue this week.

The Golden-Field RCMP responded to two backcountry SOS activations.

On Sunday, around 5 pm, Mounties received an emergency SOS activation in a backcountry area near Frigate Mountain in Donald.

Six snowmobilers were heading back to the Hope Creek snowmobile staging area after a day of sledding when one of them left the trail down a steep embankment and hit some trees.

Tragically, the 24-year-old man died on impact.

His friend called for help and the Golden Area District Search and Rescue team responded to the remote area by land.

The man was retrieved and transferred to the BC Coroners Service at 1 am.

“The group was very well prepared for their backcountry adventure; they had all the right gear, they were experienced riders, and even with all these measures in place, sometimes things still go wrong,” says Cst. Kat Robinson, Media Relations Officer for the Golden-Field RCMP.

“We are lucky to have such a skilled Search and Rescue team that was able to access this remote location the same night and provide some closure for the young man’s family.”

On Monday, the RCMP received a second emergency activation from Emerald Peak in Yoho National Park.

This time, the Banff Parks Dispatch and a team of Parks Canada Mountain Safety Specialists were dispatched.

After a failed helicopter rescue attempt, the team trekked to the lost pair on land.

Two backcountry skiers, both 25-year-old men, were found stranded on a cliff.

One skier was rescued that night while some search and rescue members set up camp with the second skier overnight to wait for a helicopter extraction the next day.

No injuries were reported and the RCMP applauded the young men for being “adequately prepared,” which helped the rescue team find them as soon as possible.

“Always expect the best but be prepared for the worst when you plan backcountry adventures or participate in extreme sports,” says Cst. Kat Robinson.

“Know the terrain, tell a friend where you are going, pack emergency gear just in case, and carry a GPS device with emergency capabilities.”