Teen Hiker Found Alive After 50 Hours in B.C. Wilderness

A 16-year-old girl who went missing while hiking with a group in a vast provincial park in British Columbia was found alive on Thursday night, after spending more than two days alone in the wilderness.

Esther Wang, of Langley, B.C., was hiking with three other people through Golden Ears Park, one of the province’s largest parks at more than 62,000 hectares, and arrived at Steve’s lookout around 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The group headed back down to the campsite, and after 15 minutes of hiking, the group leader realized Ms. Wang was missing. They returned to the lookout to look for her but couldn’t find her. They notified a park ranger and police.

Search and rescue teams from all over the Lower Mainland converged on the park to search for her. They used helicopters, drones, police dogs and thermal imaging. The search area was not only forested but mountainous and vast, with steep terrain and thick vegetation.

“The area is used for recreational hiking. Areas off the hiking trails can be treacherous with steep terrain and thick vegetation,” Ryan Smith, the Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue team manager, said in a statement.

Ms. Wang was found alive on Thursday around 8:30 p.m., after more than 50 hours in the wilderness. She reportedly walked out of the trail by herself and was met by searchers. She was taken to hospital for a medical assessment.

“She walked out of the trail by herself,” Mr. Smith said.

Ms. Wang is a student at Walnut Grove Secondary School and a talented volleyball player. Friends describe her as a ‘sweet’ and ‘nice’ person who is always smiling and making others smile.

“She is always smiling and making other people smile,” a close friend of Ms. Wang said.

The RCMP said they were grateful for the successful outcome of the search and thanked the search and rescue teams for their efforts.

“We are conscious of many friends wishing to assist in the ongoing search. The terrain and location is very challenging and SAR are urging non-SAR personnel to avoid the location at this time,” Mr. Smith said.

Golden Ears Park is located about 50 kilometers east of Vancouver and is popular among hikers, campers and nature lovers. It offers scenic views of mountains, lakes and forests.

The park is also home to wildlife such as bears, cougars and deer, which can pose a threat to visitors who are not prepared or aware of their surroundings.

The RCMP advised hikers to always stay with their group, carry adequate supplies, wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and inform someone of their plans before venturing into the park.

Relevant articles:
– Missing B.C. teen found after being lost in Golden Ears Park, Pique Newsmagazine, Jun 29, 2023
– Esther is alive – girl missing in Golden Ears park reportly safe, The Progress, Jun 30, 2023
– B.C. teen girl found alive after being lost in wilderness for two days, Castanet, Jun 30, 2023
– Teen missing in Metro Vancouver park found ‘alive and well’ after nearly 3-day search, CBC News, Jun 29, 2023