RCMP are reminding the public to be prepared after they safely located a pair of hikers who had gotten lost near Metchosin over the weekend.
Officers with the West Shore detachment were notified at approximately 8:40 p.m. on March 27 that a 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old female were lost in the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park.
The pair told police that they had no water, food or survival supplies, and their cellphone battery was at 4 per cent.
West Shore RCMP undertook a 12 kilometre hike into the rough mountainous terrain, following GPS coordinates they had obtained.
Officers were also accompanied by Police Service Dog Erik as they hiked up the trails.
The search party was eventually able to make voice contact with the lost hikers after three hours.
According to a constable with the detachment, the hikers were “thirsty but unharmed.”
The RCMP say the incident serves as a reminder for hikers to be prepared when venturing outdoors. This includes bringing water, food, and dressing appropriately.
