Tragedy averted at Okanagan ski resort

Two snowboarders were lucky to be scared, cold, tired and hungry rather than dead after spending part of the night in the bush Sunday.

The two Kelowna men, both in their 20s, were only bargaining for a day of fun at Big White Ski Resort.

However, the pair got separated from a friend on their last run of the day, around 3 p.m., in the Gem Lake area.

“The friend made extensive efforts to find his friends at the resort,” said Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

“But after some time went by and he started to fear the worst, he went to the Big White Fire Department with his concern over his two friends. It was the fire chief who called the Kelowna RCMP shortly after 8 p.m.”

The police quickly called in Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, who in turn mobilized several members of the Kelowna Snowmobile Club.

The volunteers and staffers from the three agencies started their search along trails north of Big White.

Searchers found some tracks heading north, away from the resort, toward the Greystokes recreation area.

“The pair had become disoriented and were heading further into the bush rather than back to the resort,” said Raphael Nowak of Central Okanagan Search and Rescue. “They spent several hours struggling through deep snow and actually managed to cover a considerable distance. Unfortunately, that effort only ended up delaying their rescue.”

The search team found the two snowboarders at 3:30 a.m. in a heavily wooded area two kilometres east of Derickson Lake. The two were scared, tired, cold and hungry.

Because it had been a mild day on the ski slopes earlier, the two were not dressed or equipped to spend the night in the woods, especially with the dark and the temperature plunging.

The men showed signs of moderate hypothermia, so they were brought out to the road on snowmobiles, where they were checked out by B.C. Ambulance workers.

The ambulance personnel determined the men should be taken to hospital for assessment and treatment.

“Central Okanagan Search and Rescue would like to remind anyone wishing to explore the backcountry to ensure they are properly equipped, with at least the 10 essentials for wilderness travel,” said Nowak.

The 10 essentials cover everything from a cellphone and/or beacon and/or spot device, extra food and water and clothing to a flashlight, fire starter and emergency shelter.