Double trouble on North Shore mountains as two searches keep rescue teams busy

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. – Two separate searches made for a busy Wednesday night as volunteer members of Vancouver’s North Shore Rescue team scour the rugged backcountry just north of the city.

A search for two men was underway on Crown Mountain, a peak just north of Grouse Mountain, when the second call came in about a man and woman in trouble in the Lynn Headwaters region, several kilometres to the east.

North Shore Rescue spokesman Mike Danks says team members found the man early this morning, but the woman is still missing after the pair separated in darkness.

One crew continues to look for the woman in the Lynn Headwaters area while a second group has moved toward Hanes Creek and the eastern flank of Crown Mountain.

They’re hoping to spot the two hikers who sparked the original search, but pinpointing the pair has been difficult because the men’s cell phone died shortly after they called a friend to say they were off-course but proceeding down the mountain.

A helicopter was standing by, overnight, ready to assist with both searches at first light. (CKNW, News1130, Global)