A missing snowboarder was found after spending more than day in the backcountry outside the boundaries Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Chirag Patel, 36, was found by a ski patroller on a run at Revelstoke Mountain Resort on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at around 4:30 p.m., after spending 28 hours in the backcountry.
RCMP say the Ontario man was reported missing on Monday at around 9 p.m. after he didn’t return from the ski resort that day. He was last heard from around noon, and his friends reported he may have gone skiing out of bounds, without any food, water or gear.
Revelstoke Search & Rescue mounted a search of the Montana Creek drainage by air and ground on Tuesday at 7 a.m. They were able to locate Patel’s snowboard, but couldn’t find the man himself.
Finally, at around 4:30 p.m., the ski patroller found Patel inside the resort boundaries with his equipment. He was unharmed.
“The Revelstoke RCMP wish to thank the massive efforts made by Revelstoke Search and Rescue, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and the pilot and team from Arrow Helicopters who searched for Mr. Patel throughout the day, and through very risky conditions,” wrote Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky in a news release. “It is through many hours of volunteer efforts that users of the backcountry are frequently saved. These people risk their lives to assist others.”
Grabinsky went on to remind backcountry users to be prepared for any conditions, have the proper safety equipment, appropriate training, travel in groups and to notify people of travel plans in case something goes wrong.
