08/20/2026
At midnight on the night from Sunday into Monday, several Terrace SAR (TSAR) members left the comfort of their homes to support Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue (BVSAR) during a mutual-aid callout.
A female hiker had taken an alternative descent and became stranded on the edge of a cliff. Of the volunteers who responded at the SAR hall, five TSAR rope team members made the drive to Smithers to assist.
Very early in the operation, our BVSAR colleagues had already deployed a drone to not only assess the scene, determine the subject’s condition, and identify the safest possible route for extraction. They had also used the drone to establish a string line, allowing the subject to haul up essential supplies such as a blanket, food, water, and a radio so she could stay informed about what was happening.
At first light, two extraction options were considered and prepared:
* A rope team would approach from above and lower the subject safely to the ground.
* A helicopter extraction using a Helicopter External Transport System (HETS) deployed from Prince George would pick up the subject from the cliff's edge.
Smithers’ Silver King Helicopters generously agreed to transport the rope team to higher ground. This allowed the team to bring additional resources closer to the scene while significantly reducing the time required to reach the subject.
Once all teams were operational, it was determined that a rope rescue would be the safest option. BVSAR and TSAR members worked together to establish a 150+ metre rope system across extremely steep terrain and multiple overhangs.
Once the subject had both feet safely on the ground, she was met by additional BVSAR volunteers, who provided first aid and ensured she was doing well. She was then able to walk the remainder of the trail under her own power.
The rope team packed up their equipment and hiked back up to the trail before making their way safely down the mountain on foot.
Many Hands Make a Rescue Possible
It is important to recognize that an operation like this takes many helping hands to make it effective, efficient, and safe. Not everyone involved is necessarily in the spotlight, but their contributions make a tremendous difference.
Just to mention a few of the helpers who often remain behind the scenes: two Terrace volunteers drove to Smithers specifically to ensure that none of the TSAR members had to make the long drive home while fatigued. Back at the SAR hall, additional TSAR members assisted with gear checks, cleanup, and washing vehicles—helping ensure that Search & Rescue remains ready to respond to the next assignment.
And while rescuers dangling from ropes may be the part of a rescue that is most memorable or impressive to some, there is another kind of heroism that deserves recognition: the BVSAR people who traded a warm, comfortable bed for damp, cold rocks and spend the night keeping a stranger company.
It can be incredibly difficult to be only metres away from someone and know that there is very little you can do to change their situation without compromising their safety—or your own. Sitting and waiting is not easy. But there can be tremendous power in simply being there and being available for someone.
The photographs below offer a glimpse into this rescue operation and the many people who worked together to bring it to a safe conclusion.
As always, if you encounter someone—or find yourself—in need while outdoors, please don’t hesitate to call for additional resources, such as (requesting bystanders to call) RCMP or ambulance services. Early notification and additional support can make a significant difference in an emergency.
