RCMP to use helicopter to recover bodies of three hikers in challenging B.C. terrain

He said crews are known to rescue people who have slipped in the area where hikers often fill their water bottles after spending a few hours traversing a strenuous trail.

They end up by the beautiful granite that’s been carved by the water over hundreds of years but the buildup of lichen makes the area slick, Willcox said, adding dogs and people have slipped into the water but have been helped out.

“This is the first time I’m aware that anybody has gone over the falls,” Willcox said, adding people should stay well away from the area.

The bodies of the woman and two men, all from British Columbia and in their 20s and early 30s, were discovered Tuesday evening. Their names have not been released pending notification of their families.

Willcox said the area near Squamish has become increasingly popular with the addition of a gondola that is drawing a lot of locals and tourists who often hike into risky terrain without knowing what’s involved.

RCMP Cpl. Sascha Banks of the Squamish detachment said the pools are not accessible by side trails in the area that is extremely risky.

“These pool systems, unless you have the right equipment with you, unless you understand the area, that you’re safe about doing it, you should not be up there.”

Searchers were using an underwater camera to scour the pool on Tuesday in hopes of determining its depth as they searched for the hikers.

RCMP said the three were swimming in one of the icy pools that form part of the majestic Shannon Falls, a 335metre waterfall about 60 kilometres north of Vancouver.