It’s been a busy weekend for North Shore Rescue crews, who are already exhausted from dealing with a record number of calls over the past few weeks.
On Sunday morning they began work to rescue a 31-year-old hiker who spent the night on Grouse Mountain after getting lost east of the Grouse Grind.
The rescue comes after a string of calls from lost or injured hikers in recent weeks.
Last month, the team of volunteers responded to a record-breaking 28 calls for help on North Shore mountains. After a busy Labour Day long weekend, they were hoping things would slow down with the start of fall, but they have received at least one call a day over the last seven days.
READ MORE: North Shore Rescue tracks down missing hiker on Cypress Mountain
“This week has been extremely taxing on our team,” said Mike Danks of North Shore Rescue. “Calls during the week are a real challenge because people have jobs.”
WATCH: Global BC’s Jennifer Palma talks to a 31-year-old hiker who spent the night on Grouse Mountain after getting lost east of the Grouse Grind.
Members of North Shore Rescue are pleading with the public to make sure they are prepared before heading into the backcountry.
The majority of calls they received this week were “easily preventable just by putting a trip plan together and being prepared for the conditions at hand,” said Danks.
“It seems like the message is not getting out there to the public that you need to be prepared when you’re going in the backcountry and you need to let somebody know where you’re going, what time you’re expected back and when to call for help.”
North Shore Rescue offers tips on what to bring on a hike and how to avoid getting lost.
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