Two women who called for help after getting getting stuck on Golden Ears Mountain Saturday night were found safe and sound by search crews.
The women in their early 20s called 911 around 10:30 p.m. while descending West Canyon Trail.
Del Doornbosch, a deputy team manager with Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue, said the women had no flashlights.
“They lost their way. They were nervous about coming out at night,” he added.
Two search teams were sent to find the women who left the area after meeting another group of hikers. They hiked to Alder Flats to wait out the night.
Search crews found the women four hours later asleep in a tent.
The women were unable to call off the search parties as cellphone service in the area is spotty.
“They were only able to make one [phone] call,” said Doornbosch.
“They got lucky they ran into the other group. When they made the 911 call, it’s the only call they could get through. There was no communication after that.”
The women hiked out of the park on their own in the morning. It’s the second time search crews have been called to Golden Ears Mountain in the past week.
On Aug. 4, a helicopter flew volunteers in to help a woman who dislocated her elbow while descending the summit.
Helipads repaired
Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue volunteers were back on Golden Ears Mountain early Sunday to repair two helicopter landing pads and restock an emergency shelter at Panorama Ridge.
One site, identified by a land mark called “Hollow Tree,” was destroyed during a forest fire at the end of July.
Del Doornbosch with Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue said that helipad had to be completely rebuilt and took more than six hours to complete.
Volunteers also cleared and repaired a second helipad at Alder Flats. To donate to the team, visit rmsar.bc.ca.
• To watch a video of a chopper landing at Hollow Tree, visit mapleridgenews.com.