First Date Ends with Rope Rescue on Grouse Mountain
It started out as perfect first date for two inexperienced hikers on Grouse Mountain, BC, but things took a turn for the worst when they couldn’t find their way back.
The two hikers, 24-year-old Kazuki Toyoda and 19-year-old Kaho Asanuma, were forced to call North Shore Rescue after getting stuck in a dangerously steep and cliff-riddled area of the park.
"We rode the Skyride to the top, and then we were looking for the lake," said Toyoda. "We got lost."
The couple had recently moved from Japan and weren’t familiar with the mountain trails. Toyoda and Asanuma were forced to call NSR when they realized they were stranded in dangerous terrain.
Jim Loree, search manager with NSR, said he wasn’t sure how the couple got to where they were but lack of experience played a role.
"They were in good shape, just really, really unprepared and not knowledgeable of the terrain at all," said Loree.
Six NSR volunteers established their location after making cell phone contact and were able to rescue the couple using ropes and harnesses to retrieve them from their position.
It was 12:30 am before the Toyoda and Asanuma emerged from the ordeal with their volunteer rescue team.
After a statement to the RCMP and a thank you to the volunteers, the couple hailed a cab and headed home.
Toyoda wouldn’t say if there would be a second date after their ordeal on the mountain.
While outdoor hiking can be an enjoyable activity, it’s important for outdoor enthusiasts to ensure they are prepared for their outing and have plans for how to deal with emergencies that can crop up.
Buying travel insurance can help defray health care costs if there are injuries or illnesses on a trip.
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