Body of Hiker Recovered This Evening From Mount Harvey
The extensive search and rescue efforts undertaken today on Mount Harvey have ended with the recovery of the body of the missing hiker.
A 29 year old Vancouver hiker was reported missing after setting off from Lions Bay yesterday.
A press release was issued by the Squamish Police earlier today asking for the public's help in locating the missing hiker. Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) mustered in the parking lot of Lions Bay School, and liaised with several other search and rescue teams for a combined effort.
The search area was narrowed somewhat as a result of information provided to searchers by hiker Kaie Rosborough, as reported earlier today in The Watershed. Rosborough spotted footprints in the snow near the peak of Mount Harvey that may have been left by the missing hiker on his trek down the mountain sometime yesterday.
A statement this evening from Emergency Program Coordinator Phil Folkersen was posted to Lions Bay Neighbours Facebook page:
"Today’s Search and Rescue efforts up the mountains have ended. Unfortunately, it was ultimately a recovery of the missing hiker. Our sincere condolences go out to the family. The day-long efforts were carried out by multiple emergency response agencies and SAR units. We thank them all for their tireless efforts."
UPDATE:
After a very long day in support of the missing hiker's family, Folkersen offered a few personal thoughts in addition to his official statement:
"I continue to be amazed at the quality and dedication of emergency volunteers we have in Lions Bay. The missing persons call went into LBSAR around 2 AM Thursday morning. Three people initially responded and then were joined by the rest of the team later in the morning. A call went out to neighbouring SAR groups for help and dozens responded…Squamish, Sunshine Coast, North Shore and more. I am overwhelmed. These volunteers are nothing short of amazing and did not give up until they found the missing person. The family was extremely grateful for their efforts.
A family had a really bad day today and will remain in crisis for a while. Showing compassion can go a long way for those left behind."
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