St. Mark’s Summit hikers rescued after sunset hike | Daily Hive

Unprepared hikers with no food or light prompt St. Mark's Summit rescue

North Shore Rescue located the group and walked them out safely. (North Shore Rescue/Facebook)

A sunset hike near St. Mark’s Summit ended in a late-night rescue after three young hikers got stuck on the trail in the dark, with no food, water, or proper lighting.

North Shore Rescue (NSR) said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 30, that the group set out with plans to reach the summit, but a wrong turn earlier in the day set them back.

Instead of adjusting course or turning around, they pushed ahead and arrived at the top just before sunset.

They took a few photos and started heading down as the last light faded.

But within minutes, the forest turned dark, and none of them had a flashlight or headlamp.

They tried to light the trail using their phones, but two of the three phones ran out of battery.

The third, luckily, still had enough power and just enough cell signal to call for help.

NSR volunteers responded quickly and hiked in to find the group. They brought headlamps, warm clothes, food, and water, then walked the hikers safely back to the parking lot.

While all three were physically okay, they were mildly hypothermic by the time rescuers reached them, even though the temperature stayed above 20°C past midnight.

“People underestimate how fast you can get cold once you stop moving,” NSR wrote in the post. “Especially after sweating on the way up, and with no dry layers.”

View of Highway 99 and shoreline from St. Mark’s Summit while hiking. (freidensonsphoto/Shutterstock)

The group hadn’t packed the basic 10 Essentials: no extra clothes, no snacks, no water, no navigation tools, and no lights.

They also tried to navigate the trail using Google Maps, a common mistake rescuers warned against.

“Google Maps isn’t built for the backcountry,” NSR noted. “It’s fine for city streets, but not for rugged trails. Apps like Gaia or CalTopo, loaded with offline maps, are much safer.”

Rescuers said the hikers made one key decision that helped the operation go smoothly: they stayed put after calling for help.

“They were cold and scared, but they waited. That made all the difference,” NSR said. “Had they kept moving and lost contact, this would have been a much more complex rescue.”

What to bring on every hike, even on a sunny day

North Shore Rescue’s latest callout served as a reminder of what many hikers still forget: just because the weather looks good and the trail is popular doesn’t mean you’re safe.

Conditions in B.C.’s backcountry can shift quickly.

One wrong turn, a drained phone battery, or a sunset that comes faster than expected can leave even experienced hikers in serious trouble.

ShishkinStudio/Shutterstock

To avoid becoming the next rescue, NSR recommends carrying what’s known as the 10 Essentials, a short list of must-haves that could save your life:

Light: A headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries. Your phone light doesn’t count.
Signalling Device: A whistle (Fox 40 is best), bear bangers, or flares.
Fire Starter: Waterproof matches, a lighter, and a firestarter or candle.
Warm Clothing: Non-cotton layers: toque, gloves, thermal base layers, and a windproof jacket.
Pocketknife: Or multitool. Handy for building shelter or preparing food.
Shelter: A large orange plastic bag or thermal tarp.
Water & Food: At least 1-2L of water and high-energy snacks or bars.
First Aid Kit: With basics like bandages, gloves, blister care, and a pocket mask.
Navigation Tools: Compass, physical maps, and GPS (apps like Gaia or CalTopo, not Google Maps).
Communication Device: Fully charged phone (in airplane mode), plus a backup battery or satellite beacon.

One last tip: always tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back — leaving a trip plan with a friend or family member could be what gets you home.

“Even on the best days, it pays to be prepared,” NSR said in the post. “The mountains will always be there another day.”

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