Lions Bay Search and Rescue

09/23/2025

🚨 WASPS! – Deeks Lake Trail 🚨
There is an active wasp nest on the Deeks Lake Trail from Porteau Cove around 440m elevation. In the past 24 hours, two hikers have sustained multiple stings and experienced allergic reactions after hiking near the nest.

⚠️ If you are planning to hike this trail:
* Be alert in the area and avoid disturbing the nest.
* Carry epi if you have a history of allergic reactions.
* Hike with a partner if possible.
* If stung and experiencing difficulty breathing, swelling, or other signs of anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately.

Please share this information with others who may be heading out on the surrounding trails.

-LBSAR

06/03/2025

🚨Weekend Call-Out Recaps: 🚨
LBSAR Volunteers were busy this weekend with two different callouts for hiking groups wearing inadequate footwear for the conditions.

Reminders:
☀️ Check the weather the day of!
🥾 Wear proper gear for snow!
🤸‍♂️ Be flexible, if conditions are worse than expected, turn around!

Microspikes don’t turn trail running shoes into mountain boots, and in soft snow, even with spikes, it’s easy to slip and take a dangerous fall. Without an ice axe and the training to self-arrest, that slip can turn serious fast!

Please be extra cautious hiking with children especially this time of year. The mountains are still very snowy. Plan accordingly and stay safe out there!

05/09/2025

🚨Call-Out Recap: Tunnel Bluffs 🚨
LBSAR volunteers respond to a callout on Thursday evening for a subject with an ankle injury after a stumble on the trail. LBSAR members responded, assessed and treated the injury, and evacuated the subject via stretcher carry, then helicopter extraction (HETS).

A reminder that popular trails can pose hazards! Proper footwear, layers, and preparation are key, no matter the season or how short the hike may seem. Wishing everyone a fun and safe weekend!

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05/09/2025

05/06/2025

LBSAR Volunteers responded on Sunday afternoon to a callout for two teen hikers who had gone off-route while descending Hat Mountain. One of the subjects slipped and fell down a steep and snow-filled gully. The second subject called 911, initiating the rescue response.

With support from NSR and Talon, the first hiker was located after being spotted throwing snow to signal the searchers by air and was safely hoisted from hazardous terrain. The search efforts continued for the second subject, involving technical rope rescue, and medical efforts by doctors in very steep, snowy terrain.

The subject was found unresponsive. Despite every effort by the rescue teams the subject was hoisted and flown directly to VGH where they were sadly pronounced deceased.

Our hearts are with both hikers, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragedy.

Thank you to the support from NSR, Talon, EHS, ECC, VGH, and Squamish RCMP for the professionalism and care during an incredibly difficult and tragic callout.

05/06/2025

04/23/2025

🚨Rescue Update: Unnecessary Mountain 🚨
LBSAR Volunteers responded to a call on Sunday for two subjects on the Unnecessary trail after they became unsteady descending in snow. The team assisted with proper gear and helped them down safely.

This call was a good reminder that AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Maps are not always best for backcountry navigation! Trails in the mountains can be steep, exposed, and conditions change fast with elevation. Snow, ice are still very much present in the mountains right now.

Before heading out:
🧭 Use trusted, local navigation sources. Carry proper navigation tools: a map, compass, or GPS.
🎒Pack the 10 Essentials, including food/water, extra layers and a headlamp.
🗣️ Always tell someone your plan.

Mountain safety starts with preparation.
Know before you go!

•••

04/20/2025

🚨Rescue Update: Brunswick Mountain 🚨

LBSAR Volunteers were called out Friday evening for hikers stuck on steep snow near the summit with no mountaineering gear. The other part of the group had started hiking down, but one hiker separated from them with a dead phone and went missing.

Teams were flown to the summit just before sunset to assist the stranded group and search the trail. The missing hiker had gone far off-route, walking down a remote creek, and was very lucky to reach a logging road, where a containment team found him.

Everyone was safely out by 1am. Huge thanks to nearby campers who kept the subjects warm by a fire.

•••

04/13/2025

LBSAR volunteers completed their annual hover exit training last weekend in true west coast style,soaked by steady rain! Solid reps on the Dauphin with Talon!

03/12/2025

Hanging at base, what about you? Gear prepping, cleaning, stretcher rigging, treat munching, chatting!

03/09/2025

TASK UPDATE:

Subject has been found and is safe.

Teams were able to locate them close to Norvan Falls. Cold and wet, but uninjured.

They were very lucky to find a large blue tarp to use as shelter overnight, which also assisted in locating them from the air.

A great example of why wearing bright colours in the backcountry can potentially save your life.

Thank you to Coquitlam SAR, Lions Bay SAR, Talon Helicopters, Lynn Headwaters Park Rangers, North Vancouver RCMP, and the ECC for their mutual aid on this rescue.

02/24/2025

🚨 Callout Update & 10 Essentials Reminder 🚨

LBSAR Volunteers responded to a callout yesterday evening for two hikers attempting to summit Mt. Brunswick wearing runners/cotton clothing, in high avalanche conditions, 50mm of rain, and with zero experience. They had one water bottle, ignored warnings from friends, and didn’t tell anyone their plan.

Here’s why this was dangerous:
⚠️ Avalanche risk – Heavy rain and unstable snow can trigger deadly slides.
⚠️ Hypothermia risk – Wet + cold = dangerous loss of body heat.
⚠️ Inadequate gear – One water bottle isn’t enough for a major mountain trek.
⚠️ No experience – This is not the place to learn how to hike.

Before you head out:
✅ Bring all 10 safety essentials – Extra lights, layers, first aid, etc. If something goes wrong at night in winter, things can go from bad to worse fast.
✅ Do your research – Check the weather, trail reports, and avalanche forecasts.
✅ Tell someone your plan – Where you’re going & when you’ll be back.

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