A 46-year-old local hiker who called police after becoming lost in Thetis Lake Regional Park is being called out for not staying put or taking precautions.
West Shore RCMP Const. Nancy Saggar said after the man used his cellphone to call police at about 10 p.m. Saturday, a response by Metchosin Search and Rescue and others was triggered.
The man set out at about 7 p.m. with no shirt and no provisions. “He wasn’t prepared to be lost in the park overnight,” said Saggar.
Once lost, he was directed by a 911 dispatcher that help was coming and to remain where he was, said police.
Instead, the hiker, who had a dog with him, kept walking, said police. West Shore RCMP used phone tracing technology to track him.
“He was not listening to the dispatcher’s instructions to stay put so we could pinpoint him,” said Saggar. “This hiker continued to walk in and out of service areas in different locations and then there was nothing.”
Seemingly, the hiker was using his phone as a flashlight and the battery was eventually drained.
“I think he was just wanting to get out and solve it on his own,” said Saggar. “It was a questionable lack of patience and maybe trust. He was lost enough to call us but maybe he didn’t want to rely on us.”
West Shore RCMP typically calls Search and Rescue to help with such calls, said Saggar.
The lost hiker was eventually found by Metchosin Search and Rescue at 3 a.m. on Sunday.
The regional park has several marked trails but “it’s almost impossible to figure out where you are going or even find a trail when it’s dark,” said Saggar. “Losing the light caused that panic I think.”
Hikers are advised to give someone an approximate departure and return date and time for any hike and bring a day pack with clothing, water, food, a cellphone, as well as a GPS if possible, said police.
“We want to remind anyone who is calling 911 to please listen to the directions of the police dispatcher,” said Saggar. “Significant efforts were put into locating this lost hiker and the process would [have] undoubtedly been easier had the hiker stayed put.”
There was no indication that drugs or alcohol were factors. The hiker’s dog was with him throughout the journey, said police.
