The roads in the area we covered in snow but underneath was frozen slick with ice. The subjects appeared to have broken through a small creek washout and became high centred.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/COSAR
November 13, 2019 - 1:35 PM
A group of four who had been hunting in the Big White area Nov. 12 are home safe and sound after being stuck in a washout, thanks to a late-night search effort.
Search manager Ephraim Nowak said 13 search and rescue volunteers convoyed up to 201 Forest Service Rd. at 11 p.m. and Civil Air Search And Rescue was also put on standby to provide air support.
Tire tracks were found leading up the Rabbit Creek Forest Service Road but none were seen coming out.
While a group of searchers set up containment, the four trucks followed the tracks up the road. At around 1:30 a.m., 15 kilometres up the Rabbit Creek Forest Service Road, a group of searchers found the subject's truck stuck in a washout.
The roads in the area we covered in snow but underneath it was frozen slick with ice. The group's vehicle appeared to have broken through a small creek washout and became high centred.
“The subjects did everything right. We had a good idea of the area they were in, they stayed with the vehicle, lit a fire and kept themselves warm,” Nowak said in a press release, adding that the area had no cell service.
By 2:30 a.m. the group of four — two adults and two children — was back at the containment area and on the way home.
“They were very happy to see us,” said one of the searchers who found the family. “Everyone is doing great and the kids are happy because they get a day off school.”
Search and rescue would like to remind outdoor enthusiasts to file a detailed plan before heading off into the wilderness.
This is the time of year that its call volume starts to go up because people aren’t prepared for conditions. This group, fortunately, had all the appropriate survival gear including warm clothes, food and water and the ability to light a fire.
Details on how to file a trip plan can be found at adventuresmart.ca.
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