Search continues for hikers missing near Pemberton

VANCOUVER – An intensive search for two hikers last seen near Pemberton, B.C., 10 days ago continued Monday.

Authorities acknowledge they’re increasingly worried about the fate of Jonathan Jette, 34, and his girlfriend Rachael Bagnall, 25, who only packed enough food for two or three days.

"As each day goes by, it becomes more of a critical situation," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair in Pemberton, about 150 kilometres north of Vancouver. "They’re overdue by a full week. That of course is really concerning."

Jette, a Vancouver resident who hails from Longueuil, Que., set off with Prince George, B.C., resident Bagnall to hike the area around Cirque Peak on Saturday, Sept. 4. They were due to return on the evening of Monday, Sept. 6.

On Sept. 8, RCMP received a call from Bagnall’s family reporting she was missing.

Searchers quickly located the couple’s vehicle at Spetch Creek Forest Service Road, about 14 kilometres north of Mount Currie.

Since then, police and search-and-rescue volunteers have undertaken an exhaustive search of the area.

However, the only thing they’ve found so far is a pair of sunglasses that they’re not even sure belong to the couple.

LeClair said more than 40 searchers were combing the area for signs of the couple over the weekend and there were 24 ground searchers out again Monday.

They’re being supported by one RCMP helicopter and two commercial helicopters surveying the area.

"We have a good weather window so we’re going to put a concerted push on for searching and we’re hopeful we’ll find something," said LeClair.

LeClair said the couple have some experience in mountaineering and were equipped with appropriate gear for their hike.