Search and rescue members are still at the mercy of the weather in their mission to find three missing mountaineers.
The trio set out to climb Atwell Peak in Garibaldi Provincial Park and did not return back down on May 31. They were reported missing by a family member and the search for the group started.
On Wednesday, Squamish Search and Rescue confirmed it is still actively involved in the mission.
"We are regularly conducting assessments of the terrain for safety and for spotting of the individuals with helicopters and UAVs (drones),” says Christy Allan with Squamish SAR.
One of the individuals successfully made it to Atwell Peak, per social media posts seen by Glacier Media. Less than five people summit Atwell Peak per year, Glacier Media has been told by a local guide.
Atwell Peak is 2,655 metres in elevation and is considered one of the steeper and more inaccessible peaks in Garibaldi Provincial Park. When the group went missing, the conditions were wet, cold and snowy.
SAR members were called back and the search was paused due to hazardous conditions and avalanche risk on June 6.
Snow melt at Atwell Peak can take months and that typically doesn’t happen until the end of summer.
"Due to the low temperatures and snow in the mountains, we are still having to wait for snow melt to get better terrain visualization, which will take a prolonged warming trend at that elevation,” says Allan.
Environment Canada is calling for a few days of warm temperatures in the high 20s but rain and cooler temperatures at the start of next week.
Squamish SAR had drones fly over the area, members conducted a partial ground search and avalanche dogs were also helicoptered to the location. Members from Whistler Search and Rescue and North Shore Rescue also assisted in the search.
Squamish SAR manager B.J. Chute told Glacier Media he believes crews crossed off the route the mountaineers took.
More than a metre of snow fell within a week of the trio going missing and winds upwards of 100 km/h were reported in the area. A heavy rainfall warning was in place for the region from Sunday to Tuesday.
Squamish SAR is asking people to stay out of Atwell Peak as it is dangerous.
Glacier Media is continuing to respect the families’ wishes for privacy and will not release the identity of the individuals.
