Squamish Search and Rescue

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Squamish Search and Rescue

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Official page or Squamish Search and Rescue.

We are a volunteer community-based organization that provides 24/7 search and rescue services in and around Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.

10/24/2026

A big thank you to GFL for their generous $5,000 donation through the Full Circle Project!

This funding will go toward radios for our newest members in training, supporting them throughout their training and as they work toward becoming operational members of our team.

We are grateful for the support!

10/21/2026

A big thank you to the Whistler Healthcare Foundation for supporting our team this year!

Their funding helped us add important ventilation and resuscitation equipment to our medical response kits, and supported members of our team to attend the Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine (CAWM) conference in September.

The conference was a great opportunity to connect with others working in wilderness medicine, learn from their experiences, and bring new knowledge and ideas back to share with our team.

We are so grateful for the support that helps our members continue learning, building their skills, and strengthening the care we can provide to our community when it matters most.

10/19/2026

SAR Volunteer Tyler Duncan from Squamish Search and Rescue.

10/05/2026

Over the weekend, members of our team took part in Public Safety Lifeline Leadership (PSLL) training.

PSLL is designed specifically for people working in public safety and focuses on the leadership skills that support effective teams in challenging environments — from communication and decision-making to conflict management, briefings and debriefings.

For us, it is another opportunity to strengthen the people who help lead our team, support our members and keep our operations running effectively.

Our people are our greatest resource, and investing in their development makes our whole team stronger.

A big thank you to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District for funding this training and supporting the continued development of our team. We appreciate the investment in our people and in the work we do across our communities.

09/29/2026

Fall is here and the mountains are changing.

We might still be getting some beautiful weather this time of year, but don’t let the sunshine fool you:

Daylight is getting shorter ( 3 min and 39 secs a day to be exact ), temperatures drop quickly once the sun goes down, and winter is already making an appearance in the alpine.

We are seeing snow starting to build in higher elevations, and conditions can change quickly this time of year.

If you’re heading out, make sure your plans account for the season:

- Check the forecast and recent conditions
- Carry a headlamp( or two ) even if you don’t expect to need it
- Bring enough warm layers for colder-than-expected conditions
- Be prepared for snow, ice and wet or slippery terrain at higher elevations
- Give yourself enough time to get back before dark.

And lastly, have a backup plan. Know when to turn around if conditions are worse than expected.

* photo from recent rescue while assisting Pemberton SAR.

09/25/2026

Our drone capabilities have grown significantly this year, thanks to grants from and .

The funding allowed us to add another drone to our fleet—this one equipped with a spotlight and speaker, both of which proved especially useful during our recent rescue.

But it’s not just about getting eyes in the sky. Our drones can search at night, use thermal imaging to detect heat signatures, and cover terrain quickly from above—extending our aerial search capabilities when it matters most.

So far in 2026, our drone team has logged 54+ flight hours and 265+ km of flight paths, with drone deployment expected to support more than half of our calls this season.

Technology is another tool in the toolbox—and we’re incredibly grateful to the foundations and community members who help us keep building our capabilities.

Thank you, and , for supporting our team and helping us bring these capabilities to the mountains.

09/19/2026

Yesterday, our team was called to assist a trail runner who became stuck on the West Ridge of Sky Pilot after encountering loose, exposed terrain that was difficult to safely descend.

This time of year, many mountains around Squamish can change dramatically as the snow disappears. On routes like the West Ridge, snow can help hold loose rock in place and make sections relatively straightforward. Once it melts out, that same terrain can become significantly more challenging and hazardous.

In this case, the usual route has become much more difficult to navigate safely due to the lack of snow.

Late-season conditions can change the nature of a route considerably, so it’s worth checking current conditions and factoring them into your plans.

09/16/2026

Appreciation post!

Meet Mike, who’s been volunteering with Squamish Search and Rescue for an incredible 20 years.

Twenty years, countless callouts and more specialty teams than we can keep track of.

When he’s not answering the pager, Mike works as an Electrician at the Lower Mamquam Generating Station. Around SSAR, you’ll find him on the Drone Team and as a Ground Search Team Leader, with a long list of specialty-team experience behind him. His advice? “Don’t join too many specialty teams.” 😂

So what keeps him coming back?

“The awesome crew… and the karma that keeps me getting lucky when I crash my mountain bike.”

Mike’s been part of countless rescues over the years, including challenging winter responses that remind us just how quickly conditions can change in the mountains.

His advice? Leave a trip plan.
And his message to anyone considering SAR? You don’t have to be a superhero. We need all kinds of skills and people willing to learn.

When he’s not volunteering, Mike is riding bikes or chasing powder on his sled.

20 years of dedication, leadership, mentorship—and the most infectious laugh in the room. We’re pretty lucky to have you, Mike!

09/11/2026

Last night, our drone team was part of a rescue that pushed the boundaries of traditional rescue.

Our team was called for a climber stranded 77 metres above the ground on a route called“Alaska Highway”on the Stawamus Chief, who was secured to an anchor but without a rope.

With darkness, significant rockfall exposure and the scale of the terrain, a traditional rope rescue would have presented considerable challenges.

Instead, our drone team used two aircrafts to create another solution.

One drone illuminated the wall using a floodlight, allowing a second drone to navigate to the climber and deliver a lightweight messenger line.

The messenger line was then used to bring a climbing rope up to the climber, who was able to secure himself and rappel safely to the ground. A jacket was also sent up to help keep him warm while the rescue was underway.

This was a great example of the value of an established drone program—and how the right tools, used in the right circumstances, can help reduce risk for both rescuers and those we’re called to help.

09/09/2026

A few important reminders as we head into fall, following a busy long weekend in the mountains.

Yesterday evening, a hiking party became separated near the Gargoyles, and one hiker became lost. After descending into a gully, they found themselves in increasingly difficult terrain and spent the night there.

Our team was called in the following day. A small team were flown into the area and made contact with the hiker, who was cold but thankfully uninjured. Given the terrain and their location, a helicopter hoist was required to bring them safely out.

➡️A good outcome — and a few important reminders:

• Call for help EARLY. If you’re lost, stuck or your situation is deteriorating, don’t wait until things become critical.

• Stay TOGETHER. Separating from your group can make a difficult situation much harder to manage.

• If you’re lost, STAY PUT. Moving can make you harder to locate and can lead you into more challenging terrain.

• Pack the ESSENTIALS. Navigation tools, extra food and water, warm layers, a headlamp, first aid supplies and a way to communicate can make a huge difference when a day out doesn’t go as planned.

And with fall fast approaching, it’s worth taking a fresh look at your plans and your pack. Days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, and conditions in the mountains can change quickly.

Please be prepared. Know before you go.

Address

Squamish, BC
V8B

Website

http://www.squamishsar.org/

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