Disoriented hikers rescued on trail

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue was called out for the 82nd time this year to search for two missing hikers in the McCall Lake area above Peachland Thursday.

A couple from Alberta had made the 300-metre climb to the lake but became disoriented on the braided trails and, after circling the lake twice, they decided to sit, wait, and call for help.

With sunset about a half hour away, RCMP and COSAR decided to use a helicopter to extract the pair.

“It was textbook,” said search manager Duane Tresnich.

“The couple did everything right by sitting and waiting for help. Wandering around in the dark could have led to trouble, as there are trails and cliffs everywhere.

“Interestingly, we had a crew bringing a trailer from our main hall by the Kelowna Airport and another crew bringing in assets from our new West Kelowna gear cache. The West Kelowna team more than a half hour sooner. I think this speaks to the success of the new location,” Tresnich added.

COSAR is on track to break the record of 84 tasks in one year, set in 2020.

The group is thanking Mega Storage for their support and use of their facilities.