Overdue Canoeists Located
Thursday, July 12, 2012 @ 2:11 PM
Prince George, B.C.- A canoe trip turned out to be an extended overnight event for 4 adults and 5 children.
Yesterday afternoon, RCMP were advised a group of canoeists was overdue.
The group had left the Summit Lake camp ground on Friday July 6th for a canoe trip to Macleod Lake. They were due back on the afternoon of Tuesday July 10th, but did not return.
Officers attended the camp ground and located the vehicles associated to the group. There were no signs of canoes or the canoeists.
Last evening, Emergency Management BC activated Prince George Search & Rescue (PG SAR) to assist in locating the missing canoeists. PG SAR arrived on seen at approximately midnight and searched throughout the night.
At about 8 this morning, searchers in a plane spotted the group and advised searchers on the ground as to the group’s location.
Searchers on the ground located the group about an hour later. All four adults and five children were in excellent condition. The trip took longer than they had estimated, but they were well equipped and prepared for the possibility of an extended trip. None of the nine persons is from the Prince George area.
Prince George RCMP and Prince George Search & Rescue advise that if you are planning hiking, or canoe trips to follow three basic rules:
· Develop a plan including a realistic timeline
· Ensure that people not going on the trip are aware of the plan
· Pack food and supplies for extra nights
Comments
That first stretch of water from Summit lake can take quite awhile to negotiate. It looks like they were prepared for it though.
Also the stretch between the 200 Rd bridge and Crooked river canyon can take a lot longer than anticipated.
Did that trip in a riverboat many (30) years ago when you could still read the channels etc. It took a real long time as one old timer said – there wasn’t even enough water in the river for tea!!! Beautiful trip!
We are thinking of doing this trip. Where can I get info from as to where to start out and how long it should take?
Hey
I’ve done this as well, only I did it in a very low water year and was tough going- looks like much higher water now. As for put in- Summit Lake or bridge at 3km Caine FSR(off Talus Rd)
As for time- depends on how many stops, how hard you paddle but Summit to 200Rd is a good 8 hours or so. The first stretch I find most interesting- the wing dams built better than 100 yrs ago by Twelve Foot Davis and others are still there- it’s really cool, like going through a lock on a canal.
Be forewarned that Summit to Bear Lake has few camping spots that aren’t swampy, I made the mistake of going past a real nice spot in there and was til dark finding next good spot. I’d recommend reading “Crooked River Rats” by Bruce Mackay or Jack Boudreau’s canyon cats book for interesting background on the rich history of this former highway to the Peace.
Happy paddling
Thanks Canoe.,
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