CALGARY – RCMP said Monday four Calgarians who went missing while hiking west of the city on Sunday have been found safe and sound.
The group included a 68-year-old man and three women, the youngest is 28. The left Calgary at around 11 a.m. for a day hike along Prairie Mountain Trail, across from Elbow Falls on Highway 66, but didn’t return by 4 p.m. as expected.
When they were overdue, the boyfriend of one of the missing hikers drove to the trail head and saw the group’s vehicle.
Mounties said he notified RCMP at around 11:30 p.m. and met them at the parking area for Prairie Mountain Trail.
They launched a search immediately but had to call it off because of darkness.
On Monday morning, with the benefit of light, the four hikers were spotted from the air.
“They were found around 9:25. Kananaskis Emergency Services had enlisted Alpine Helicopters out of Canmore. They were surveying the area and they located them on the other side of Prairie Mountain,” Cochrane RCMP Sgt. Darleen White said.
“All four hikers were safe and uninjured. They had managed to start a fire and survive over a cold night.”
RCMP said the hikers simply got turned around and lost, but they were fairly well-prepared. They had emergency supplies and clothing with them. They did not have a tent but managed to make a fire to keep warm.
Elbow Falls is located about 65 kilometres west of Calgary.
-With files from David Boushy
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