A Whistler man who was reported missing after having gone for a solo hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park was found alive and well near Cheakamus Lake this week after an intensive search involving Whistler Search and Rescue, Whistler RCMP and Blackcomb Helicopters.

The 26-year-old male departed for his hike into the Cowboy Ridge area, near the Musical Bumps Trail, on Friday (April 17), intending to go snowboarding in the backcountry. The man had told his friends he planned to build an igloo in the snow and camp overnight, RCMP Sgt. Steve Wright said. His roommate reported him missing late Sunday (April 19).

A search involving WSAR, Blackcomb Helicopters, an RCMP helicopter and an avalanche dog was mobilized late Sunday but called off because of darkness. Searchers found tracks in the Fitzsimmons Creek area on Monday (April 20) and more tracks between Singing Pass and Cheakamus Lake on Tuesday (April 21), Wright said.

“Obviously it’s not looking good if he’s headed in that direction,” he said on Tuesday morning. “He only had enough provisions for one night.”

Later on Tuesday, Wright reported a second RCMP helicopter was being brought in from Comox to help with the search. The man was located Tuesday at around 4 p.m. near Cheakamus Lake, Wright said in a statement. He was transported to Whistler Health Care Centre to be examined.

“Police would like to thank the tireless effort put forward by the dedicated team of searchers who spent a considerable amount of time and energy searching for this lucky young man,” Wright said.