Amazing rescue: Experienced hiker trapped for 3 days on ledge

Stranded hiker praised for basic, lifesaving steps A stranded hiker is being applauded by his rescuers, another was rescued off Crown Mountain and a third was injured while cliff jumping.

A seasoned hiker who spent three days stuck on a rocky ledge in Coquitlam is sharing his experience to show that even the most prepared hikers can run into trouble.

Alec Winters, 21, began his multi-day hiking trip east of Buntzen Lake on Wednesday – but got lost and became stuck on a narrow ledge between two waterfalls.

“I’ve never felt that close to death in my life,” said Winters, noting that while he had ample water he was running out of food. “I felt like I was going to die there over the course of a few weeks.”

Coquitlam Search and Rescue received a call from one of Winters’ relatives on Saturday night when the young man didn’t return home.

“He was [missing] for 48 hours, and we consider that quite urgent because someone can get into a lot of trouble in that amount of time,” said Michael Coyle, Coquitlam Search and Rescue manager.

Sixteen crew members were dispatched overnight, and in the morning a helicopter was sent out – and that’s when Winters was spotted.

“I wasn’t expecting a rescue,” Winters told CTV News. “I was only 40 per cent sure people were going to come.”

Coyle says rescue crews were successful because Winters was well prepared with full camping gear and food – and left information with family about where he was going to be.

“If he hadn't left information with his relatives on where he was going… as you can tell, it's very difficult to know where to start [looking for someone],” said Coyle.

“He was shaken and quite grateful to see us, but in general in very good condition and he seems to be recovering very well.”

This wasn’t the only long weekend rescue for Coyle’s team: later that day, Coquitlam SAR rescued a mother and daughter off Burke Mountain.

One of the women had broken an ankle, and the duo was able to use a cellphone to call for help.

Coyle says having reliable communication devices is one of the 10 hiking essentials that crew say you should always have handy. Others include water, food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, whistle, map, and compass.

As for Winters, he plans to be even more prepared next time he sets out – and might be buying a satellite tracking device for his future ventures.

“I’ve never been in that state of mind before, where I was expecting death,” said Winters. “Relief can’t describe it… I couldn’t thank [rescuers] enough.”

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Nafeesa Karim