Bad weather delays search for missing B.C. snowshoer

North Vancouver RCMP say the search for a missing snowshoer in the rugged North Shore backcountry will resume when weather and snow conditions allow for a safe and thorough air and ground search.

RCMP Cpl. Richard De Jong says in a news release that a 39-year-old Surrey man is missing after he and a friend were caught in an avalanche north of Mount Seymour.

The avalanche occurred Monday morning as the missing man and a friend, a 30-year-old who is also from Surrey, were snowshoeing through a challenging area between Runner Peak and Mount Elsay.

Police say the younger man wasn’t hurt and was able to cling to a tree and call for help.

Dangerous conditions hampered the search effort, but members of North Shore Rescue were able to reach the man late Monday and he was airlifted off the mountain.

The search for the other man was suspended Monday night, and the decision to delay further efforts for at least 24 hours was made early Tuesday as Environment Canada called for up to 10 centimetres of snow across parts of Metro Vancouver.

North Shore Rescue team leader Mike Danks has said the situation doesn’t look good for a positive outcome, but the team will continue to hope for the best.

Despite improved conditions expected Wednesday, the continuing avalanche risk will limit the number of searchers and avalanche dogs that can be sent into the area, he said.