Volunteers with North Shore Rescue were called on mutual aid by Kent Harrison SAR for two lost/stuck hikers (with a dog) in the Bear Mountain area east of Harrison. It responded with Talon Helicopters. (Image Credit: Image: North Shore Rescue)

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Rescue effort

Two hikers, dog rescued east of Harrison Saturday evening

Jan 26, 2026 | 6:23 AM

HARRISON – Thanks to mutual aid from two important partner agencies, volunteers were able to rescue two hikers and their dog from a mountain east of Harrison over the weekend after they got lost on their way down.

Kent Harrison Search and Rescue says it was contacted Saturday evening (Jan. 24) at about 5:30 p.m. for two hikers who wound up in a gulley on the east side of Bear Mountain, located east of Harrison. The individuals’ location was known, prompting KHSAR to dispatch a ground team to their location, including GSAR members and rope rescue technicians, on foot up the Bear Mountain Trail.

KHSAR sought mutual aid from North Shore Rescue to conduct a nighttime hoist, since the sun had already set and temperatures were very low, elevating the risk of hypothermia for the group in need of rescue.

The North Shore Rescue hoist team was able to successfully begin extracting the individuals and their dog as Kent-Harrison’s ground team reached Bear Lake.

“We responded with our partners at Talon Helicopters on NVIS (Night Vision Imaging Systems) goggles,” North Shore Rescue said. “Once on the area, the subjects were spotted on a steep slope in dense forest. They, and their dog, were in turn hoisted into the helicopter and brought out of the field.”

Missing teen

14-year-old boy reported missing: Abbotsford PD

11h ago

No injuries

Chilliwack RCMP investigating fire near Ryder Lake

13h ago

Wellness Centre

Chilliwack mayor looking forward to opening of new shelter

16h ago

NSR says it has created a number of K9 rescue kits featuring dog-specific helicopter rescue harnesses, which enables rescue personnel to handle these types of rescue calls.

Closer to home, KHSAR says it has had multiple tasks in the last couple of years where people have become lost and ventured down the same drainage on the mountain’s east face.

“We’re grateful this task had a positive ending and the lost individuals could return home safe. After calling for help they stayed in one spot, which made the operation easier for the rescue teams,” KHSAR said. “We encourage hikers to pack extra layers and emergency equipment to be able to survive a night on the mountain, even for day hikes! An unexpected night on the mountain can be much more comfortable with a few essential items.”

Kent-Harrison volunteers say it’s important for backcountry users to pay attention to their surroundings and reassess your route the moment you are unfamiliar with your surroundings. The Bear Mountain trail can be disorienting between the lookout and the lake, rescue personnel say, but there are trail markers and flagging tape along the trail.

“We’d like to thank North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopters for answering the call for mutual aid,” KHSAR said. “We’d also like to extend our gratitude to Harrison Hot Springs Fire Department for setting up and managing the helicopter landing zone at the school.”

Image: Kent Harrison SAR / Saturday’s rescue effort on Bear Mountain, east of Harrison.