A solo scrambler is in hospital with serious injuries after falling 250 metres down a slope of rock and ice in Banff National Park on Tuesday (July 28).
A solo scrambler is in hospital with serious injuries after falling 250 metres down a slope of rock and ice in Banff National Park on Tuesday (July 28).
The 29-year-old Calgary man suffered injuries to his back and spinal column and was airlifted to Calgary Foothills hospital by helicopter after 9 p.m.
The scrambler was immobilized and without cellphone service after falling off a Popes Peak rock ridge on Mount Whyte in Lake Louise and crashed to the glacier below.
Lisa Paulson, Parks Canada visitor safety specialist, says he was conscious and able to speak when they found him at 8:15 p.m. after 45 minutes of searching.
He was a well-equipped hiker, says Paulson, but with no cellphone service and nighttime quickly approaching, the scrambler had to shout for help or be faced with possibly spending the night outside, injured and alone.
Three local scramblers on the nearby Mount Niblock heard calls of distress and alerted emergency rescue personnel.
Paulson is unsure what could have happened if emergency rescue crews had to wait until morning to rescue him.
“We want to advise people to leave a trip plan with people (not on the hike),” Paulson said, adding hikers should leave a map route and have expected check in times with someone and what that person is to do if they don’ t hear from the hiker.
In all, Parks Canada Visitor Safety Specialists, Parks Canada Resource Conservation, Alpine Helicopters, Banff EMS, Lake Louise Fire and Rescue and STARS air ambulance responded.
