By Jolanda Waskito Contributing Writer WARM and well-rested after spending a frigid Sunday night lost in rugged Cypress Bowl Provincial Park, Tom Mansen ponders what his fate might have been. “I might still be there, we might have died,” the *20- year-old Burnaby student said. “I'm definitely glad we got rescued.” Mansen and a 26-year-old friend from Coquitlam set off on skis and snowshoes rented from the Cypress Bowl shop Sunday morning. The two parked the car on Sunset Road in Lions Bay, but told no one where they were going. By about 4 p.m. the two men. realized they were run- ning out of daylight and changed direction. They headed straight down, hoping to make it to ighway _ “They were at 4,000 fect ofi the the Howe Sound Trail _ (and. descended) to the west side of Newman Creck at 1,200 feet,” North Shore Rescue Team’s assistant search manager Don Jardine said. The two snowshoers didn’t reach the highway by the time night had fallen and decided to huddle together beside ‘a tree. “We stopped when it became too dark,” Siansen said. “We didn’t want to risk going over a cliff.” They were tred from hik- ing all day, and cold — their ski jackets and pants were soaking wet. They pulled our emergency thermal blankets from their backpacks and slept uncomfortably for about four hours. “Ir was probably zero degrees (Celsius), it was chilly but we weren't freezing,’ Mansen said. “We kept wak- ing up every now and then because of the chill.” At about 10:30 p.m., employees at the Cypress Bowl rental shop reported that snowshoes rented out earlier that day hadn’t been returned yet. The West Vancouver Police asked the North Shore Rescue Team to help find two lost men. At midnight, 26 volunteers fiom the North Shore and Lons Bay Rescue Teams start- ed searching for the two men. One team heading out cast from the Lions, the uther starting from Cypress Bow!l's Howe Sound Crest Trail. The North Shore rescue team picked up the men’s snowshoe tracks and followed them all night in below-freez- ing temperatures. “We had to use crampons and ice picks in a number of places,” search manager Jardine said of the terrain. The two men had dore-the right thing by staying put, Jardine added, since there are a number of clitfs and a 300- foot waterfall in the area. Art 6 a.in. Monday, a heli- copter was deploved. It was davlight now. At 7:15 am., the North Shore Rescue Team made contact with the mvu men; they were yelling to each other with the rescue team aided by a special megaphone. Once they were found, the rescue team gave the men dry clothes. They were in good condition and — weren’t hypothermic, Jardine said. By 8:15 am. Mansen and his friend were flown back to the Cypress search and rescue base. Mansen said he wasn’t too worried about surviving the ordeal, but was glad to hear the helicopter overhead because that meant a rescue had been launched. “We got safely off the mountain and that’s what counts,” he said. “My parents were worried — they didn’t know where we were. They’re just happy J°m back.” Jardine said peaopie not used to the back country shouldn’t go trekking without an experienced guide or hik- ing group. Telling someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back is also important. “Even though people ski it doesn’t mean they're prepared to go into back country, espe- cially during winter condi- tions,” Jardine said. Another unprepared triv of men were suffering from mild Home Renovation Show April 3-6, Pacific Coliseum Featuring the Latest in Renovation &. ‘Interior Decor Products and Services ° Over 150 Exhibits * Kids Only area Thursday, April 3rd Friday, April 4th Saturday, April Sth Sunday, April 6th + RENOVATE + RESTORATE ».CAPTIVATE + COORDINATE + “RIV NANNY atveOO3d + Build Your Own Sird Feeder ° Enter to Win $40,000 Dream Kitchen with your admission ticket SHOW HOTLINE: 878-4448 “SAVE A BUCKY’ 4:00pm - 9:30pm 12:00pm - 9:30pm 10:00am - 9:30pm 10:00am - 6:00pm Home Renovation Show April 3-6, Pacific Coliseum PLUS Presentations and interactive demonstrations by industry experts on: * Home Improvement Tips . + Adding Resale Value to Your Home « Renovation Financing * Cosmetic Upgrades * Colour Coordinating FIVNIGHOOO -« SLWAlidVO * * Today's Styles and more 37 Present coupon for @ off regular adult admisson Adults $5 * Seniors $3 + Children free! CU. cawes Dams TV {Hol valid with any other offer) * Project Planning & Budgeting * Selecting the Right Contractor « Renovation Technique Demos «Interior Design tdeas. Hame & Garden (WAREHOUSE) See us at the Ri HowToCentre Stages! FIVAON off! “ AUNWMLOW AT JIVHOLSIY + ULVAONad hypothermia when rescued from Grouse Mountain on Saturday night. Three 26-year-old males -~ nwo from Vancouver and cone Toronto visitor -— were rain-drenched in their canvas runners when found by the North Share Rescue Team. One of the men was able to scramble up a icy slope to _ get help at about 6 p.m. The rescue team found the men about half a kilometre southeast of the gondola in stcep and slippery terrain at about 1] p.m. “They were standing on ledges in the pouring rain,” search manager Jardine said. “They were getting very cold and their body temperature had dropped a about a degree.” Normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. At 34 degrees, a person starts to lose judgment and would suffer from extrerse hypothermia. Jardine said it was lucky one of the men went for help or they might have been stuck in the freezing rain overnight. “Their condition could have deteriorated quickly because of the rain,” he said. “They had nowhere to move on the tedge. They might have screamed at the people going up the tram (to get BEDDING AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR Jf IOe Ss” SIMMONS © Mattresses, Box Springs & Bed Frames * Sofa Beds & Roll Away Cots © Quilts, Pillows & Pads © Most sizes in stock for immediate delivery © Ask about our FREE delivery, set up and old bed M E-BE CHECK US OUT v HUGE SZLECTION v LOW WAREHOUSE PRICES HOME FURNISHINGS 1075 Roosevelt Crescent North Vancouver § = (2 blocks behind Avalon Hotel) Open Daily Fri. 9-9; Sun 12-4 Wednesday, Thakaster March 26, 1997 — North Shore News - 34 IER THEA Wy SS et | _ te selon of ea sed snowboard Downhill clothing and i accessories are all Of SLE F Hy wil be on hand , For mare ints eal Uc6-oble f