THUNDER BAY – Firefighters have rescued a hiker who was lost for hours in the Nor’Wester escarpment near Coppin Road on Saturday night.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue was requested to assist police in the search for the lost hiker around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, deploying two pumper truck crews.
The hiker’s cell phone had lost power after she initially called her boyfriend earlier in the day.
Firefighters used maps and previous knowledge of the trail system to organize a systematic search of the network of trails in the area.
TBFR also deployed its Polaris Ranger utility vehicle to help gain access through obstructions along trails, many of which had filled with rushing water and deep puddles due to a thunderstorm.
After an exhaustive search lasting several hours, firefighters located the hiker about 4.5 kilometres away, at the top of a trail.
The hiker was located around 10:48 p.m., said platoon chief John Kaplanis.
The female hiker was uninjured when located, and was assessed and released by awaiting EMS personnel.
The incident underlines the importance of preparing for backwoods hikes, said Kaplanis, who suggested bringing equipment such as a compass or GPS and other survival gear.
Packing layers of clothing is also advised, with rain bringing the potential for hypothermia even with the warmer weather.
"Anytime you go on a hike like that, you have to realize it's a a backwoods environment," he said.
