It’s been quite a year of rescues for , but what was the biggest theme of the past 12 months?
According to 麻豆社国产SAR communications director Christy Allan, the theme for 2024 was “complex rescues.”
“We had several long and complicated tasks in 2024 requiring highly technical skills, large numbers of team members and multiple agencies,” Allan told The 麻豆社国产.
In total for the year, SSAR completed 121 rescues, which was just shy of their 2023 tally of 126 rescues.
But it was August that proved to be their busiest month with three notable rescues.
The first was when SSAR responded to a call for two injured climbers on the Stawamus Chief.
“These climbers had been hit by falling rocks suffering serious leg injuries,” Allan said.
“The rescue involved helicopters, ropes, technical skills and above all else teamwork between SSAR members and our partners like 麻豆社国产Fire Rescue.”
The second notable rescue was for an injured hiker on the Watersprite trail.
“The elderly male had fallen and was not able to walk out on his own. A team of 20 members responded to the scene and began a five-kilometre stretcher carry over rock, roots and narrow water crossings, which took over three hours,” Allan said.
While we all think of SSAR as responding to humans who have gotten into trouble in nature, their third most memorable rescue acted as a friendly reminder that the local search and rescue team will help anyone (or anything) in need.
“Our team was called to help locate Maverick, a dog who had fallen into the Cheakamus River,” Allan said.
“Thanks to some nearby climbers who heard his barks, and the incredible assistance of Draganfly Inc’s thermal-sensing drone, we found Maverick tucked in a small cave just above the water.
“This technical rescue involved navigating both swift water and very steep terrain. Our team was able to lower one of our swiftwater technicians down to reach Maverick and successfully brought him back to safety.”
Much like in previous years, SSAR received the most calls for hiking, biking and climbing-related tasks.
Biggest takeaways from 2024
If there’s one thing 麻豆社国产does best, it’s supporting the local organizations, and for SSAR it was one of their biggest takeaways of the year.
“We are so grateful for the support of the 麻豆社国产community. Because of the support, we brought home the LandRover Defender and celebrated with a community event in June,” Allan said.
“Being recognized in the Community Builder category of the 麻豆社国产Chamber Business Excellence awards and the Best Volunteer organization in the 麻豆社国产 Readers Choice awards is greatly appreciated by the team.”
Allan also said that the team's involvement in the second episode of the Search and Rescue Series on the Knowledge Network “gave a great behind-the-scenes look” at what SSAR does.
“The filmmakers followed our team for two summers and documented several of our tasks,” she said.
What does 2025 hold in store for SSAR?
A move is on the horizon.
With their lease set to expire soon on their current base near Brennan Park Recreation Centre, Allan said the organization has their eyes set on a new home.
“We are very focused on our move to a new compound at the airport in 2026. Our lease is expiring on our current compound, and we are working closely with the District of 麻豆社国产on the move,” she said.
“Our team is planning the logistics of the move so that there are no service disruptions, project managing the build and planning a capital fundraising campaign to support the move to the new compound.”
Words of wisdom
One thing SSAR wants 麻豆社国产residents and visitors to remember is communication and trip planning when headed out on an adventure.
“Communication and trip planning are key when heading out into the mountains at any time of year. The winter brings its own challenges with shorter days, cold temperatures and complex terrain,” she said.
For more information on how to be safe when adventuring into the backcountry or even hiking the Stawamus Chief, visit .
Allan said there is an ongoing need for fundraising and support in 2025.
“The dedicated team of 80+ volunteers is committed to keeping our community safe in the backcountry.”
To donate, visit .
