Update: 6 p.m.
Search and rescue members battled wintry conditions and avalanche terrain to rescue three stranded hikers.
Whistler Search and Rescue president Brad Sills says four members hiked up to Wedgemount Lake to find the group on Monday through wet, windy and cold conditions.
The search and rescue members also had a trained avalanche dog with them.
They safely returned down from the mountain around 6 p.m. and successfully guided the group out.
Everyone is “very wet and tired,” says Sills.
Original: 3:20 p.m.
Three people are currently stranded on a mountain in Garibaldi Park after getting stuck in wintry weather.
Police received a call from the trio on Sunday, after they got stuck on their way to Wedgemount Lake and still had cellphone service.
“I think it’s pretty self-evident they didn’t know what they were doing,” says Whistler SAR president Brad Sills. “Makes me wonder.”
The group was not able to make it to the Wedgemount Lake Hut and was told to hunker down for the night.
On Monday morning, Sills was alerted that the group was unable to travel out due to extremely slippery slopes and waist-deep fresh snow on the trail.
The hikers told police they had a tarp, sleeping bags and a heater.
“They’re below the hut,” he says. “They’re in what we call the ‘headwall.’"
Even though it is June, it’s still winter in the mountains.
“You should be prepared for snowstorms and you should have full avalanche precautions with you,” says Sills.
Whistler SAR sent four members and a trained avalanche dog to locate the group. There is evidence of recent avalanche activity and wintry conditions.
“It’s cold, wet and windy up there,” he says.
SAR was able to locate the group and are treating them for hypothermia.
The goal is to have them attempt to hike out with SAR.
“We took in more gear; if they’re not able to move, we’ll have to shelter in place until we can get an aircraft there,” says Sills.
May and June often have the "most serious" mountaineering avalanche incidents, according to Whistler SAR.
Live cameras from Whistler Blackcomb show snow at 1,850 metres. Wedgemount Lake is located at 1,861 metres in elevation.
Nearby, the search for three mountaineers who are missing from Atwell Peak has been grounded. A family member reported them missing last Friday after they didn't return from their climb.
