UPDATE: The 16-year-old was found alive on Thursday evening.
A 16-year-old girl is missing after becoming separated from her peers on a hike in Golden Ears Park on Tuesday morning.
The group of four hiked the East Canyon Trail to Steve’s Lookout as part of an organized youth activity. They started around 9 a.m., left the lookout at about 2:45 p.m. and noticed that the teen was not with them about 15 minutes later.
According to Ridge Meadows RCMP, the group returned to Steve’s Lookout to try and find the teen. Unsuccessful, the group leader returned to the trail entrance, where a park ranger reported her disappearance to police.
Maple Ridge Search and Rescue was called out and searched through Tuesday night, and were joined by a police drone on Wednesday to help with search efforts.
Mounties said the teen had a cell phone with her, but due to the remote area attempts to “ping” it have been unsuccessful.
“Sometimes that’s the unfortunate thing, that when we’re out hiking the batteries die because of the continual attempts to obtain cell service,” RCMP Cpl. Julie Klaussener said.
“So in this instance they’re making every effort to use any technology available to continue with the search, but they’re very much reliant at this point on boots on the ground.”
Police said the teen has food and water with her as well.
Crews are slated to continue the search until nightfall on Wednesday, before reassessing the situation in the morning.
She is described as an Asian girl, about five feet three inches tall with a slim build. She has long black hair and began the hike wearing black leggings, a black jacket and a navy blue baseball hat. She also carried a blue, red and white backpack.
Anyone who was hiking in the park on Tuesday and may have information that could assist the search effort is asked to contact Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251.
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