Vernon search and rescue teams rescue a missing skier Friday night

Vernon search and rescue teams rescued a snowmobile from a remote area east of Enderby on Friday night.

In a Facebook post, the Vernon Search And Rescue Group Society said Vernon RCMP contacted them at 6 p.m. Friday to search for the missing snowmobile in Hunters Range Glacier.

Due to the significant avalanche danger in the area and throughout the county, rescue teams spent “significant” time planning the rescue, making Plans A, B, and C.

Sixteen members of Search and Rescue and two others from the Hunters Range Snowmobile and Lumby Mabel Lake Snowmobile Association went into the outback Friday night to find the missing man.

The man activated his iPhone SOS and SPOT, and rescuers were able to locate him.

“To ensure the team returned safely, they packed up the trail, and after reaching the missing skis, the team descended the mountain and finished shortly after 2:00 AM,” VSAR said in its post.

“Our sled did a lot of things well. He has survival gear, built a shelter in a snow cave and was trying to start a fire when we arrived.”

VSAR said that due to the current dangerous avalanche situation in remote areas, rescue operations may be delayed by several hours, or may only be conducted for one day, to ensure the safety of rescue teams.

“Vernon SAR would like to thank our resources at the Lumby Snowmobile Club and Hunters Range Snowmobile Club who are always lending a hand in tracing,” said VSAR.

“We also want to thank Hunters Range designer, Justin Evans, who went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and safe ride. It really makes a difference when they do their best.

They say it takes a village. In this case, it took several. you are really the best