Snowboarder found safe after eight-hour search

An eight-hour search for a missing snowboarder on the North Shore ended happily on Wednesday.

Rescuers found the 26-year-old at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning on the east side of Mount Seymour.

Searchers say he was cold and wet, but after being given a hot drink and some dry clothes, was able to hike down the side of the mountain toward Indian Arm.

A Royal Canadian Marine search and rescue lifeboat picked him up on Brighton Beach and carried him the rest of the way to safety. The unnamed man was reported overdue at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A short time later, he used his cellphone to call a relative in Seattle, confirming he was lost.

Rescuers believe the snowboarder may have got lost after confusing a ski trail with a snowshoe trail.