Search crews used night-vision goggles and hoist operations to rescue two climbers stranded on Yak Peak after a fall
Two climbers stranded on a vertical rock face of Yak Peak were rescued early Wednesday(August 6) after spending the night dangling in their harnesses amid clouds, smoke, and rain that complicated helicopter efforts. The pair fell while scaling the sheer granite wall of the mountain near Coquihalla Highway on Tuesday and were left “hanging in their harnesses mid-face,” North Shore Rescue (NSR) confirmed in a post. One of them sustained a head injury.
Rescuers were first alerted at 10:40 pm, when NSR joined forces with Hope Search and Rescue, Chilliwack Search and Rescue, Lions Bay Search and Rescue, and Talon Helicopters. A hoist team equipped with night-vision goggles located the climbers overnight, but thick cloud cover and wildfire smoke forced the helicopter to land without completing the rescue.
“Multiple attempts were made to get overtop of the climbers but unfortunately conditions were too dangerous and the helicopter was forced to land,” NSR said. A second try before dawn was also aborted due to worsening clouds and rain.
As weather delayed aerial extraction, ground crews began preparing for a technical rope rescue. Meanwhile, a new flight crew had to be called in after the overnight team timed out under aviation safety regulations.
At around 5:30 am, skies cleared enough to allow another helicopter hoist attempt. This time, the climbers were airlifted one by one, starting with the injured individual.
“This was a complex task involving night flying, technical pick offs, mountain rescue, and complex hoists. To execute this sort of task safely requires decades of experience and training from every member of the crew,” NSR said. The organization wished the injured climber a speedy recovery.
Yak Peak, located about 2.5 hours east of Vancouver, is one of the most iconic climbing spots in BC, popular for its long alpine granite routes. But its beauty is matched by its danger.
A climber fell 60 feet on a route called "Yak Check" in 2023 requiring a similar aerial rescue by Chilliwack and Hope SAR teams using long-line extraction.
Rescuers were first alerted at 10:40 pm, when NSR joined forces with Hope Search and Rescue, Chilliwack Search and Rescue, Lions Bay Search and Rescue, and Talon Helicopters. A hoist team equipped with night-vision goggles located the climbers overnight, but thick cloud cover and wildfire smoke forced the helicopter to land without completing the rescue.
“Multiple attempts were made to get overtop of the climbers but unfortunately conditions were too dangerous and the helicopter was forced to land,” NSR said. A second try before dawn was also aborted due to worsening clouds and rain.
As weather delayed aerial extraction, ground crews began preparing for a technical rope rescue. Meanwhile, a new flight crew had to be called in after the overnight team timed out under aviation safety regulations.
At around 5:30 am, skies cleared enough to allow another helicopter hoist attempt. This time, the climbers were airlifted one by one, starting with the injured individual.
“This was a complex task involving night flying, technical pick offs, mountain rescue, and complex hoists. To execute this sort of task safely requires decades of experience and training from every member of the crew,” NSR said. The organization wished the injured climber a speedy recovery.
A Mountain known for risk
Yak Peak, located about 2.5 hours east of Vancouver, is one of the most iconic climbing spots in BC, popular for its long alpine granite routes. But its beauty is matched by its danger.
A climber fell 60 feet on a route called "Yak Check" in 2023 requiring a similar aerial rescue by Chilliwack and Hope SAR teams using long-line extraction.
