Volunteers with the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) team ventured into the backcountry on snowmobiles and skis to rescue two people with hypothermia near Big White on the night of Feb. 23.
The duo had been backcountry skiing in Moonlight Bowl, which is in the Big White area when they became stuck in the deep snow, stated COSAR after the rescue.
The COSAR snowmobile and backcountry teams along with assistance from Big White Ski Patrol snowmobiled into the Moonlight Bowl area and then three members put on skis and skinned three kilometres through dense forest to the stuck pair, who were experiencing hypothermia.
After finding them, COSAR warmed up the lost skiers, gave them snowshoes, and helped them back out of the forest to the waiting sleds.
The team and the two skiers made it back to base by 3:40 a.m. on Feb. 24.
The rescue marks the third task completed by Big White Ski Patrol in the last month. The first two rescues were completed by the Big White Ski Patrol, but last night's task required support from the COSAR rescue teams.
COSAR would like to remind skiers interested in exploring the backcountry to carry all the proper gear and to be prepared to spend the night in the woods.
For more information on how to stay safe in the backcountry visit adventuresmart.ca.
