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by Jennifer Dart
The Westerly News
June 14, 2007

"Waves can be misleading, you turn your attention away from the ocean, and a bigger wave comes in."

A joint US-Canada rescue operation led to the safe rescue of five hikers from the West Coast Trail earlier this week.

Four of the hikers, all American, became trapped in a sea cave early in the morning of Monday, June 11 after being swept off the trail near Owen Point by a rogue wave.

It wasn't until that evening that the one hiker who wasn't trapped was able to call for help.

Neil Peterson, 63, Kelsey Peterson, 20, Tim Kniffen, 28, and Guy Peterson, 22, were trapped, while 24 year-old Joe Ellis was left to find help.

The call came into the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria at 5:30pm. The JRCC called in the US Coast Guard because it had resources stationed closer to the area.

Cpt. Cheryl Condly, with 19 Wing Comox, said the US Coast Guard helicopter and several ships were already on the scene when 19 Wing's Cormorant helicopter reached the area, located over 100 kilometres northwest of Victoria.

Two of the hikers, Kelsey and Guy Peterson, had managed to climb to safety with Ellis' help, and the US Coast Guard helicopter crew airlifted Neil Peterson and Kniffin.

The two search and rescue technicians aboard the Cormorant went to a nearby Port Renfrew school to assess the hikers. Although one was mildly hypothermic, none required immediate medical evacuation, Condly said.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve superintendent Robert Sheldon said all hikers of the trail are given a detailed orientation session before they register and set off along the 75km trail.

He understood that the rogue wave that hit the hikers was a set wave, which can be surprising as they can be 15 to 20 minutes apart.

"They can be misleading, you turn your attention away from the ocean, and a bigger wave comes in," said Sheldon.

It's very important to pay close attention to the shore while hiking, and checking the marine forecast is a good idea. Often ocean activity is linked to weather systems far offshore, he noted.

Sheldon also advised that hikers should be seasoned and have the right gear with them for the trail, which is "not a novice hike."

It's not unusual for hikers to be rescued from the trail, but most of those are for minor injuries such as sprained ankles, said Sheldon. On average 80 to 90 people are rescued by wardens each year, usually by boat. Only about 10 to 15 people are evacuated per season by helicopter.

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Copyright The Westerly News, a Canwest Company. Reproduction of this article or photographs, in whole or in part, is illegal without the written consent of The Westerly News (westnews@ukeecable.net).
The Westerly News is published each Wednesday in Ucluelet. Phone: 250 726-7029

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