Image: Chilliwack Search and Rescue
Chilliwack rescue mission

Chilliwack SAR assists hikers stranded deep in the Chilliwack River Valley mountains amid freezing temps

Oct 10, 2025 | 7:04 PM

CHILLIWACK — Search and rescue volunteers in Chilliwack rescued two hikers last weekend who were stranded on Welch Peak in the Chilliwack River Valley amid wind chills as low as -15.

Chilliwack Search and Rescue reports that its personnel were paged last Saturday evening (Oct. 4) to assist a pair of hikers on the south ridge of the remote mountain, a location so desolate that it took SAR four hours of hiking and scrambling to locate the subjects in darkness at 2,100 meters elevation.

CSAR says the individuals were already mildly hypothermic due to the wind chill-affected temperatures, nothing that the pair had. no insulating layers, shelter or means of staying warm against the strong, freezing winds on the ridgeline.

Image: CSAR / Location of hikers.

Since no helicopter extraction option was available until the morning, and a layer of slippery snow covering the scrambling route, CSAR volunteers were forced to wait it out until daylight. Members kept the subjects as warm as possible with extra layers, hot drinks, and heat vests.

Image: CSAR / CSAR volunteers with headlamps during their rescue effort.

At first light, the subjects and rescuers were extricated via long line with Valley Helicopters.

CSAR encourages backcountry hikers to remember the following:

– Thoroughly research and know your route – the South Ridge of Welch Peak is a scramble, NOT a hike. It is difficult, steep, remote and known for poor rock quality.

– Be realistic about how long it should take. Darkness sets in early this time of year and temperatures drop quickly.

– Be prepared for the terrain and conditions – don’t pack for the best-case scenario, pack for the worst.

– If you go into the alpine any time of year be ready to deal with the possibility of snow and freezing temperatures.