UPDATE: 9 p.m.
The snowmobiler who was separated from his group on May 8 has been found deceased in the Haines Pass area.
According to RCMP, treacherous winter conditions and zero visibility limited rescue efforts.
Then, on the morning of May 10, a break in the weather allowed a search-and-rescue helicopter, along with a snowmobile group, to finally access the area where the missing snowmobiler was thought to be.
Cpl. Brett Urano stated that at about 2 p.m., the snowmobile group located the missing man approximately 4 km from his last known location, however, the individual was discovered deceased.
The investigation is now a matter for the BC Coroner’s Service, said Cpl. Urano.
_________
RCMP from both the Yukon and northern B.C. are working together to search for a missing snowmobiler in Haines Pass.
Atlin police were asked by Haines Junction officers on May 8 at about 10 p.m. to assist in locating an individual who was separated from a group at about 4 p.m.
A Whitehorse resident apparently told RCMP that her brother and two friends had gone snowmobiling near Haines Summit earlier in the day.
According to Cpl. Brett Urano, three men went to recover a broken-down snowmobile from an area near Haines Summit in northwestern B.C., along the Yukon border.
Two of the individuals returned to the parking area and waited for the third, who did not appear.
“The conditions at this were extreme snow and wind, which created zero visibility, “ said Cpl. Urano. “The missing snowmobiler did not have an in-reach or satellite phone, and it was unknown if his Apple satellite messaging was working. He also did not have any survival gear with him.”
Since Saturday morning, RCMP, along with search and rescue, have been staging in the area.
They have been unable to access the area by snowmobile due to the extreme conditions.
Despite trying to enter the area on a snowmobile and using a helicopter to search from above, the short windows of visibility due to snow, fog, rain, and wind have proved challenging.
On Sunday, May 10, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Chief and Council posted on Facebook, stating that they were aware that an NND Citizen is missing in the Haines Summit area.
“Leadership reached out to the Yukon RCMP, offering any support we can provide to locate our community member safely. We understand that the RCMP, along with community members, are currently undergoing search efforts, but weather conditions have become challenging. We are here to support where needed, and are committed to updating our Citizens as we receive more information,” read the post.
Cpl. Urano explained that the terrain is very technical with extreme avalanche conditions, open crevices, and melting snow.
“RCMP are aware of well-intended people who are planning to search the area on their own. This is extremely dangerous, and any actions could very well result in police diverting resources to search for additional people who are either lost, stranded, or struck by an avalanche,” added Cpl. Urano.
RCMP are at various points along the Haines Highway and officers ask that individuals please speak with them before entering the area.