CANMORE – Rescuers were kept beyond busy in Canmore and Kananaskis Country over the weekend, including helping two hikers on Grotto Mountain whose dog died in the blazing afternoon sun as record temperatures soared more than 30 Celsius.
Kananaskis Public Safety responded to 21 calls Friday through Sunday, including a call-out for a man who was swept over Elbow Falls, a near-miss in which a scrambler fell through the ice at Rawson Lake and a wingsuit jumper who got tangled in trees after launching off Ha Ling Peak.
Rescuers also dealt with stranded, overdue or lost hikers, including a hiker slung by helicopter from Ha Ling Peak who collapsed from dehydration in scorching temperatures, and plucked four overturned kayakers from the swollen Bow River.
“It has been incredibly busy, especially with the weather being so warm and people getting out,” said Jeremy Mackenzie, a public safety specialist with Kananaskis Country. “There’s been a wide variety of rescues.”
On Sunday (June 27), rescuers were called to help a distraught pair of hikers, whose dog was in trouble on Grotto Mountain. The temperature that day hit a record 33 C.
“It was really unfortunate,” said Mackenzie. “The dog died of heat exhaustion.”
Also on Sunday, STARS air ambulance flew a man in serious condition to a Calgary hospital after he was swept over the fast-flowing waters of Elbow Falls.
In the dry season, the falls reach a height of about six metres, but are about three metres in height at this time of year as the water rises and flows dangerously fast.
“He either fell or jumped into the Elbow River and went over Elbow Falls,” Mackenzie said.
“After receiving CPR, he actually did miraculously come back around, but had numerous injuries, including head injuries, and STARS helped with the transport for him.”
On Friday (June 25), a hiker slipped on the soft snow heading up to Rawson Ridge, and fell onto the lake and through the ice.
Following the quick actions of other people nearby, the woman was brought to shore and warmed after a prolonged period in the frigid lake water.
Mackenzie said the woman had minor injuries and did not require hospitalization, noting the warm temperature that day probably helped the situation.
“She slipped on the snow slope and the snow slope was actually a continuous run and it took her right into the lake,” he said.
“A number of bystanders were right there to assist and tied some gear together – like some clothes – and were able to pull her out,” he added.
“There were different reports about how long she was in the water, but it was significant enough that it was pretty serious. But in the end, she didn’t go to hospital.”
Mackenzie said the hiker was well prepared with good footwear, even with additional traction spikes.
“She probably got a little bit unlucky,” he said. “It shows a well prepared person can still get into some trouble.”
On Saturday (June 26), a wingsuit jumper had a lucky escape after jumping off Ha Ling, landing in trees above the Powerline track, but below the Highline trail, near Quarry Lake.
“He wasn’t in a good position to deploy his chute right before he needed to, but he had to deploy it anyways,” Mackenzie said.
“He ended up tangled and twisted and he ended up hitting the trees. He only had minor injuries so he was very, very lucky.”
On Sunday (June 27), four people flipped their kayaks on the fast-flowing Bow River.
The initial call for help indicated one person was missing in the river, prompting a large-scale rescue response, including a helicopter and boats.
“They called with an urgent request and so we launched all resources we had,” Mackenzie said.
“Ultimately, everything turned out fine and nobody was injured and everyone was found.”
Rescuers remind people to be aware of and prepared for all of the hazards heading into the backcountry.
They encourage people to wear proper clothing and carry the right equipment for whatever activity they are doing – and to know the limits of their abilities in the mountainous environment.
With the scorching temperatures reaching record highs for this time of year, people are flocking to the water, but Mackenzie said many are not aware of the dangers associated with cold mountain rivers.
He said there were also many instances over this past weekend of hikers simply not being prepared for the hot weather, particularly not carrying enough water and venturing out into the heat of the day.
“With the heat warning, you probably don’t want to be hiking at 2 or 3 in the afternoon, so pick your time to go when it’s not as hot,” Mackenzie said.
