Smoke helps Vernon Search and Rescue locate missing dog and hikers

Three hikers and a dog who went missing on Friday night were located Saturday morning by the Vernon Search and Rescue team.

At least two of them left for a day hike around 4 p.m. on March 24, according to a Facebook post from the Vernon SAR. After they were reported missing, 22 members responded including one team on sleds and another on snowshoes. A helicopter was also called in due to the nature of the terrain, the fact that it’s avalanche season, and the distance required to hike.

“Its the time of year when we are in transition,” the post reads. “The sled team picked their way thru mud to get to snow and started to transport some team members up the mountain.”

Upon arrival rescuers learned that a third person and a dog were also missing.

Members from the helicopter team spotted smoke and then located the missing people. The snowmobile team was able to access the area and transport the missing people back to the staging area.

“VSAR would like to remind people that while it is springlike at lower elevations – it is still winter in the mountains.”

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