WEST KELOWNA — It would have been a very different story if a hiker who was rescued by Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) crews Saturday night would have had to stay the night.
That’s what search manager Dave Crawford says after a man in his mid-50’s got lost during a hike in West Kelowna.
“He had gone for a hike earlier in the day and was dressed very lightly. He’d gotten high up into the hills above the Rose Valley reservoir,” says Crawford.
The hiker got disoriented and called for help. The Kelowna Fire Department was called around 7 p.m., according to Crawford.
“They tried to reach him with a 4×4 vehicle but couldn’t get into the area so on their way they called search and rescue,” says Crawford.
COSAR used ATVs to get into the area where the hiker was and rode him out to safety.
“He was cold and he was a bit scared but he was fine,” says Crawford.
“Once we got to him we were able to give him some extra clothes, we warmed him up and made sure he was okay.”
Crawford says the man, who was found around 9 p.m., is very lucky he had cell service and was able to call for help.
“It might have been a different situation if he had to stay the night, he certainly wasn’t prepared for that; he was very lightly dressed,” says Crawford.
Crawford is reminding anyone going out on a hike to dress for the conditions and be prepared in case you get lost.
“It’s still winter up in the hills, even though it’s 20 degrees and sunny down in the valley, it still gets very cold,” says Crawford.
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