Possibly missing hiker or hikers in Okanagan Mountain Park

KELOWNA – RCMP have a mystery on their hands as they investigate a possible missing persons case involving camping equipment found abandoned in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park.

Police say a tent and a cooler were discovered near the shore of Okanagan Lake, south of Commando Bay between Goode’s Creek and Van Hyce Beach in the park on Friday night, July 17.

A note left behind with the camping gear said someone was hiking to Divide Lake on July 7 and returning July 13. The note didn’t say how many people went on the hike or who they were.

Police are hoping the person or persons who left the equipment took a different route and haven’t returned to get their stuff. If that’s the case, they are asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP right away.

“RCMP and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue are undertaking efforts to ensure no one is stranded,” Staff Sgt. J.D. Jordan says in a media release. “Accordingly, quick notification would be greatly appreciated if there is no cause for concern.”

The items found include a blue and yellow Trekk Shale tent with a red Coleman fly, a blue Coleman cooler with a white lid and a note written on paper from the Lethbridge Comfort Inn.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.