Pitt Meadows Scouts provide emergency help to hikers

A group of Pitt Meadows Scouts found themselves in the middle of a real-world emergency during a weekend trip to Golden Ears Park.

A weekend camping trip at Golden Ears Provincial Park turned into an unexpected rescue effort for a group of Pitt Meadows Scouts after they came across three stranded hikers cut off by rising water.

The Scouts, part of the First Pitt Meadows troop, were hiking when leaders noticed three people calling for help from the opposite side of a creek swollen by heavy rain. With the hikers unable to cross, the group — which included 13 youth — moved as close as they safely could and passed over food, thermal blankets and hand warmers.

“We gathered some rations from the kids, tied it to a rock along with blankets and Hot Paws — just whatever we had,” said Akela Luke Lunnin.

Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue was already responding and sent a team up the East Canyon Trail. Crews crossed a bridge upstream and hiked down to reach the stranded group.

Search manager Rick Laing said the hikers had attempted to reach the Golden Ears summit, a demanding route even in favourable conditions. He said all three were poorly equipped for the weather.

“They were extremely ill-prepared — running shoes, cotton clothes, fleece pants. I believe one had pajama bottoms,” Laing said.

Laing says unprepared hikers are commonly seen by search and rescue teams around the province.

He encourages people planning to head out into the wilderness to visit the adventure smart website.

After the hikers were brought to safety, the Scouts were invited to tour the SAR command centre, where they shared some of the lessons they took away from the experience — including the importance of extra clothing, food and proper rain gear.

The troop later described the unexpected incident as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in the backcountry, and of the value of being prepared to help when needed.

“As a parent, it’s special to witness something like that, to go through it and show them that the stuff is relevant that we’re practicing,” said Lunnin. “Core memories that they’re going to go home with.”