On Saturday, August 3, just after midnight, RCMP requested assistance from Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) to locate a missing hiker in the Pinto Mountain area, about 10 km east of Invermere.

RCMP confirmed that the hiker’s car was still parked at the trailhead. Planning was conducted through the night and mutual aid was requested to aid in the search. Volunteers from Columbia Valley, Golden, Cranbrook and Kimberley began searching at first light, hiking the trail in both directions utilizing a helicopter to access the summit of Pinto Mountain. Other high probability areas were also searched by team members and a search dog. Near the end of the day, while conducting an overflight to assist in planning additional search areas, a person was spotted at the bottom of a cliff face in an avalanche path

Upon further investigation, the person spotted was confirmed to be the missing hiker who was deceased.

A helicopter longline team from Golden Search and Rescue was brought in to extricate the subject and SAR volunteers.

CVSAR extends its condolences to the family and would like to thank the RCMP, Coldstream Helicopters, BigHorn Helicopters, and Alpine Helicopters, Golden and District SAR (GADSAR), and Kimberley SAR (KSAR) for their assistance in the search.

The BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) Critical Incident Stress Team is being brought in to meet with everyone involved.

Lead image: The overview photo shows a few cliff faces and an avalanche path. The subject was found at the base of the rock faces. CVSAR photos

CVSAR

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