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B.C. and Yukon RCMP are still searching for a snowmobiler who became separated from his friends at the Haines Summit around 4 p.m. Friday.
A storm rolled in shortly afterwards with whiteout conditions and strong winds, making search efforts complicated. His two friends told police they returned to the parking area and waited for him to return for hours, but he never appeared.
Police say the missing snowmobiler did not have an in-reach or satellite phone and it is unclear if his Apple satellite messaging was working. He also did not have any survival gear with him.
In a press release from B.C. RCMP, Corporal Brett Urano said Yukon RCMP search and rescue teams have been staging in the area since daybreak on Saturday morning, but conditions are extreme.
He said police attempted to access the summit by snowmobile but were unable.
“Searches by helicopter have been attempted during short windows of visibility, however the conditions are extremely challenging with snow, fog, rain and wind,” Urano wrote. “The terrain is very technical with extreme avalanche conditions, open crevices and melting snow.”
The missing person is a member of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun. In a statement posted to social media on behalf of Chief and council, the First Nation said they have reached out to RCMP to offer support for search efforts.
“We are holding onto hope for their safety, but are deeply concerned for their well-being and whereabouts,” the statement read. “We are here to support where needed, and are committed to updating our Citizens as we receive more information.
“We thank our community for your patience and ask you to keep this person and their family in your prayers for a safe return.”
RCMP said they are aware of well-intended people who are planning to search the area on their own, and are urging them to reconsider.
“This is extremely dangerous, and well intended actions could very well result in RCMP diverting resources to search for additional people who are either lost, stranded or struck by avalanche,” said Urano.
RCMP officers have created checkpoints at various areas on the Haines Highway and will be speaking to drivers entering the area.
