Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) was tasked out to the backcountry on Thursday night.
A pair of concerned hikers called 911 after hearing repeated cries, believed to be someone yelling for help, near the Boulderfields, a popular climbing spot off the Kettle Valley Railway.
“Since Thursday is our regular training night, we responded with a full contingent of members, two RCMP officers and our drone team,” noted a COSAR release.
“Early responders even heard faint yelling, but couldn’t make out what was being said. Was it ‘help?’ Or worse, Nickelback?”
Half the team prepped to search the woods on foot, while the rest covered nearby forest roads. Before long, the source of the noise was found.
According to COSAR, it was a lone camper, “singing his heart out to the trees, blissfully unaware that the acoustics of the Boulderfields had turned his tent-side concert into an accidental distress signal.”
“He wasn’t in trouble,” said COSAR search manager Duane Tresnich, “unless you count his singing.”
The search team thanked the folks who called in the noises to police as it could have been a serious matter.
The area is full of tricky terrain and bike trails, the COSAR release noted, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“And remember, our services are always free,” the release added. “And the money you save could be spent on singing lessons.”
