Search called off for missing snowshoers on Cypress Mountain

WEST VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Following an extensive and exhaustive search of the area on and around Cypress Mountain, North Shore Rescue and West Vancouver Police have decided to ground crews until new information comes to light about a pair of missing men.

Forty-three-year-old Roy Lee and 64-year-old Chun Lam haven’t been seen since last weekend when their abandoned car was found in the parking lot of the mountain.

This morning about 20 members of North Shore Rescue returned to the avalanche-prone area of Mount Strachan, north of Cypress Mountain, in hopes of finding the two men. However, low cloud cover, heavy fog and unstable snow has hindered their ability.

“It is truly a difficult thing. North Shore Rescue put in an enormous effort this week. They have extremely broad knowledge of the area. They have really tried every possible area that they could think to hopefully have a better outcome. Your heart breaks for the families, it’s very difficult news for them to receive. We’ve been in contact with the families throughout the week and you hate bringing this kind of news to them. They’ve expressed great appreciation for the work that North Shore Rescue has done,” says West Vancouver Constable Jeff Palmer.

The decision to stand down after several days was made, according to Palmer, so it doesn’t put crews at further risk given the dicey conditions. “The missing person investigation remains open and if any additional information is developed that indicates where these men have unfortunately ended up then we will contemplate further search operations, but for now, given the conditions… we just don’t believe we can justify additional risk to the volunteers when there is very little prospect of a different outcome.”

North Shore Rescue Team Leader Mike Danks says the search has been difficult since the beginning and he says they noticed other people going out of bounds while searching for the pair. “These were people who leaving the ski resort who were unprepared. They didn’t have avalanche safety equipment. We also did come across a number of people who were enjoying the backcountry and were prepared to be out there.”

Danks says this case really highlights the requirement for people to leave a trip plan with friends and family if they plan on going into the mountains and to think twice before going into the backcountry unless you’re experienced or prepared.

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