A climber was rescued from a steep section of the Redoubt Wall near Loggers Creek in British Columbia after suffering 12 wasp stings.
Lions Bay Search and Rescue responded to Redoubt Wall after receiving a report of the incident. Given the number of stings and the potential for a serious allergic or systemic reaction, rescuers immediately began moving toward the climber with emergency medical equipment, including epinephrine.
Helicopter Rescue Requested
Rescuers determined that the climber would not be able to safely make her way off the mountain on foot. Lions Bay Search and Rescue therefore requested assistance from North Shore Rescue for a helicopter extraction.
North Shore Rescue responded with two Advanced Medical Providers and a technical rescue member. The climber was located beneath heavy tree canopy, creating additional challenges for the rescue operation.
Because of the terrain and vegetation, rescuers had to be inserted by helicopter before they could prepare the climber for extraction. The climber was eventually hoisted from the mountain and transferred directly to British Columbia Emergency Health Services for further medical assessment and treatment.
Wasp Stings Can Become a Backcountry Emergency
The rescue shows the serious danger potentially created by wasp encounters in the backcountry. While individual stings are often painful but manageable, multiple stings can increase the risk of a serious medical reaction.
Lions Bay Search and Rescue emphasized that incidents involving large numbers of stings can develop into emergencies very quickly, particularly when a person is far from roads or medical facilities. The agency thanked North Shore Rescue, its helicopter partners and British Columbia Emergency Health Services for their rapid response and assistance during the rescue.