North Shore Rescue pluck 2 lost climbers off Crown Mountain

North Shore Rescue has rescued two climbers who got into trouble on Sunday while trying to climb Crown Mountain, north of Grouse Mountain.

The two climbers were plucked off a ledge one by one around 7:30 a.m. PT by a rescue crew using a helicopter and a long-line.

They were both able to walk to an ambulance on their own after the rescue, indicating they were in good condition after spending a cold night out on the mountain without much gear.

The two men, both aged 25, were reported missing yesterday evening by one of their wives after they failed to return home as scheduled.

They were reportedly spotted by other climbers off-route on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. PT, but did not need help at that time.

The rescue crew did make voice contact with the climbers on Sunday night, but were unable to contact them by cellphone.

Rescuers said the pair were trapped in a challenging area covered by ice and snow. Even in the summer the route is considered a challenging full-day hike in steep and rugged terrain.

The volunteers with North Shore Rescue also had to rescue climbers on Crown Mountain on Saturday, and Sunday, using a helicopter.

The body of missing hiker Liang Jin was recently found in the same region of the North Shore Mountains.

North Shore Rescue reminds hikers that despite the recent warm weather, there are still patches of snow in the mountains which can pose a serious hazard to hikers.

"It is extremely important that those heading into the back-country have appropriate footwear with good ankle support (NOT running shoes or sandals), and carry the 10 essentials," said the organization's website.

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Google maps: Crown Mountain