Late Friday night (Aug. 23) Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (SAR) and Golden SAR were notified of climbers who were caught in a severe lightning storm on the South Howser Tower in Bugaboo Provincial Park on the popular Beckey-Chouinard route.

At first light rescuers responded with heli-sling capability; however, weather hindered the rescuers ability to reach the subjects, reported Columbia Valley SAR.

“A highly trained team of volunteer Mountain Rescue specialists climbed the route under challenging conditions and met up with the party that was rappelling down the mountain. The rescuers assisted them down to ground and transported them to safety with the help of Alpine Helicopters and Glacier Helicopters Invermere.

“If you are climbing in the area, the party involved left gear behind on their descent. If you come across this gear please reach out to @columbiavalleysar and we can arrange for it to be reunited with the party.”

Search and Rescue is 100% volunteer. SAR members dedicate hundreds of unpaid hours each year to training and response in hopes of providing you the best possible outcome when you need us.

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue photo

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