A two-day search for missing hikers in Banff National Park came to a happy ending when rescuers found them safe, but tired, about 20 kilometres away from where they were expected to be in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.
The man and woman, in their mid-20s from Calgary and Edmonton, set out on a four-day backpacking trip in the Healy Pass and Egypt Lake area Monday (Sept. 21), but when they hadn’t returned on schedule, friends raised the alarm about 1 a.m. Friday (Sept. 25).
“They were 20 kilometres out of their way and it was not easy travel,” said Grant Statham, visitor safety specialist for Banff National Park. “They were fine, just tired. Everyone was relieved we found them safe and sound. It was a happy ending.
“They were a good example of being well prepared. Although they got lost, they had extra food and all the necessary gear. They were in good shape, other than being tired.”
The two hikers had parked their vehicle at the Healy Pass trailhead at Sunshine Village parking lot, and then headed up Healy Creek to Healy Pass and on to Egypt Lake region of Banff National Park.
Upon their return, the hikers took a wrong turn and ended up going over Simpson Pass, down Simpson River before eventually ending up in Police Meadows on the way to Mount Assiniboine.
Parks Canada rescuers spent all day Friday and Saturday searching an extensive area from helicopters and with ground crews, including with search and rescue dog handler Mike Henderson and dog Kaz, but found no clues to their whereabouts.
The lost hikers were eventually found at 5:30 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 26) in Police Meadows.
Statham said the search and rescue team put up signs at various access points, informing the lost hikers to set up their tent and stay put in an open area where they could be seen from the air and easily found.
“The signs said, ‘we’re looking for you, if you read this sign, stay where you are, go to an open space and we’ll come get you,’” he said.
“They ran into one of the signs and they set up their tent and waited in Police Meadows.”
When the couple set out Sept. 21, Statham said weather conditions were perfect for a four-day backpacking trip.
“The weather was really terrible on Friday, it rained really, really hard and then it cleared up on Saturday,” he said.
