Sebastian Boucher has been very lucky, and he wants to give back to the people who saved his life.
The 33-year-old snowboarder from Ottawa went out of bounds on Cypress Mountain last year.
He spent three cold days and nights, and lost 18 pounds before he was found.
“I was freezing to death and I was starving,” says Boucher.
Boucher had his cell phone, but it was frozen and barely working, sending intermittent texts to those trying to save his life.
“Every time we get in there, his texts were delayed and did not make a lot of sense,” says Tim Jones with North Shore Rescue.
The snowborder found a bit of a clearing next to a massive tree, burrowed in, spending night after night in bitter conditions.
In the morning, he’d see the tracks from the mountain lion that had been circling him.
“I was awake for 72 hours, no food, no sleep, and no water,” says Boucher.
The search and rescue operation used three helicopters and dozens of volunteers to find him.
The operation cost $10,000, and in return Boucher has raised as much money to give back to North Shore Rescue.
“He is true to his word and we are very grateful to him for following up. It was a very high risk operation,” says Jones.
Boucher says he would not be here today if it was not for the search crews.
“I am showing my gratitude and paying them back, just showing the appreciation for what they did.”
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