--- title: "North Shore Rescue warns West Vancouver hikers as winter conditions reach Cypress" description: "After rescuing two hikers stuck on the Baden Powell Trail near Cypress on October 28, North Shore Rescue is reminding everyone heading into the West Vancouver mountains what to bring and what to do if they get lost." canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/west-vancouver-2026/news/north-shore-rescue-winter-hiking-safety-cypress-november-2026" last_updated: "2026-11-05T15:42:49.333Z" --- North Shore Rescue pulled two hikers off the Baden Powell Trail near Cypress on October 28, 2026, after the men got stuck in a snowy section of boulders near the Eagleridge Bluffs lookout. The two, visiting from Calgary, could not go up or down safely. Now, with winter conditions settling on the West Vancouver mountains, the team is repeating its message about what to bring and what to do if something goes wrong. "They had no idea of the conditions," Dave Barnett, North Shore Rescue's search manager, told the Vancouver Sun on November 5, 2026. "It's a long, tiring, aggressive hike with significant elevation, and there had been snow." ## What went wrong on October 28 The hikers set out on what they thought would be an easy day hike from Horseshoe Bay to Cypress along the Baden Powell Trail. The trail crosses steep terrain with significant elevation, and the rocky sections near Eagleridge Bluffs were icy after recent snowfall. Without micro spikes, poles or warm gear suited for winter conditions, the two men reached a section they could not safely pass. Barnett said the men made the right choice: they stopped, stayed where they were, and called for help while it was still daylight. A daytime rescue is less dangerous for everyone involved. "When you find someone that's been out overnight and on the brink of serious injury or death, they are so elated," Barnett told the Vancouver Sun. ## What North Shore Rescue says you need North Shore Rescue's outdoor safety page at northshorerescue.com lists the 10 things the team asks every hiker to bring. In winter, several of these matter more than usual. Footwear is at the top of the list. Barnett told the Vancouver Sun that more than half of the team's calls involve people wearing unsuitable shoes. A sturdy hiking boot reduces the chance of a twisted ankle or a broken knee on wet or icy ground. Navigation is the second issue the team raises. A trail app that shows contours is what the team recommends: not Google Maps or Apple Maps, which do not show terrain detail well enough for backcountry routes. The team's education page lists the full 10 essentials, including an emergency shelter, a way to signal for help, and layers: a warm insulating jacket and a waterproof layer on top. Hypothermia is a real risk. Barnett told the Vancouver Sun that hikers often remove layers on the way up and then wait too long to put them back on when they stop. "If you wait 15 or 20 minutes, you could be too cold," he said. ## What to do if you get lost North Shore Rescue's outdoor safety page says the most important thing is to stay put once you realise you are lost. Moving almost always takes a person farther from their last known location, making it harder for rescuers to find them. Call 9-1-1 as soon as you know you are lost or injured. The team's about-us page says there is no charge for rescue, and the team does not support charging because a cost would cause people to delay the call. Barnett has seen the difference: a person found before dark is a rescue, not a recovery. If you have a signal device: three whistle blasts means help. A mirror, flashlight or fire also works. The team says to build or find shelter to reduce exposure to wind and cold while waiting. Leave a trip plan with a friend before you go, the team asks: a plan names the trail, the route and when you expect to be back, so someone will notice if you are overdue. ## How North Shore Rescue works North Shore Rescue's own about-us page says the team responds to 130 operations each year on average. Some operations last multiple days. The team has operated since 1965, making it one of the oldest search and rescue groups in Canada. Its area covers the North Shore mountains, which include the trails above West Vancouver, Cypress Mountain and the routes in the Eagleridge and Cypress Bowl areas. The team runs entirely on volunteers. The Vancouver Sun reported on November 5, 2026 that it receives part of a $6 million annual provincial contribution split among 80 rescue organisations across British Columbia. Donations from individuals, clubs and companies fill the rest of the budget. ## What is open at Cypress this winter Cypress Mountain's ski area opens when conditions allow; the mountain's own website lists current conditions and opening dates. The Baden Powell Trail runs year-round but the section above Horseshoe Bay takes winter gear as soon as snow arrives. West Vancouver has no formal permit or booking requirement for day hiking, but the District's parks pages list trailhead information. ## What you can do now Before heading into the West Vancouver mountains this winter, North Shore Rescue asks everyone to: - Leave a trip plan with a friend, naming the trail and your expected return time. - Check the full 10 essentials list at northshorerescue.com before you pack. - Bring a trail navigation app that shows contours, not a phone map app. - Wear or pack sturdy hiking boots, micro spikes for icy terrain, and a waterproof outer layer. - Call 9-1-1 early if something goes wrong: there is no cost and an early call makes a safe outcome much more likely. ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/bc/west-vancouver-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.