A coordinated search is underway for three missing hikers in the Garibaldi Lake area. Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) and North Shore Rescue and RCMP Air Services have been conducting an extensive search operation since Tuesday afternoon.
Low cloud over Atwell Peak has hampered the search efforts, making aerial searches challenging, SAR said in a social media update. Despite these difficulties, three helicopters have been deployed; one is equipped with RECCO-detection technology, which can detect specialized reflective material in clothing to locate individuals.
The search resumed at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, with mutual aid from Whistler Search and Rescue and North Shore Rescue. Teams are searching both from the air and on the ground, utilizing avalanche search dogs and drones to cover as much area as possible.
The public is advised to avoid the Garibaldi Mountain and Atwell Peak areas to avoid interfering with the search operations. Squamish SAR has emphasized that its volunteers are fully focused on managing the search effort and will provide updates as they become available.
“We will provide updates as they become available,” Squamish SAR said. “Please understand that Squamish SAR are volunteers and our attention is focused on the management of the search.”