Another group of snowmobilers had to be rescued from the backcountry.
Vernon Search and Rescue received a report Sunday at 5 p.m. of three stranded snowmobilers near Finlayson Lakes in the Park Nelson area east of Mabel Lake.
They had gone down into narrow canyon and could not get back out.
“You are going in downhill but coming out, it’s steep and the snowmobiles can’t do the steep stuff. They just spin out,” said Leigh Pearson, Vernon SAR search manager.
“The snow is also heavy and wet because it’s getting warm.”
Search members left their snowmobiles at the top of the canyon and went down by snowshoe to bring the snowmobilers out.
The snowmobiles are still in the canyon as SAR does not remove machines.
“The only way to get them out is probably by helicopter.” said Pearson.
Pearson is urging anyone out snowmobiling to be familiar with the terrain.
“Also, think about how you will get out. Consider the consequences and that this may not be the thing to do,” he said.
