B.C. hiker survives 5 nights lost in mountains near Squamish after phone dies
Stanislav Volo descended steep terrain with an injured heel and wrist, rationing gummy bears and eating wildflowers, before flagging down a construction worker.
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Stanislav Volo, a 43-year-old father of two, walked off a Squamish mountain Friday evening after five nights lost in technical alpine terrain, having descended steep back-country terrain on his own power with an injured heel and wrist.
Volo rode the Sea-to-Sky Gondola south of Squamish on Sunday to hike Mount Habrich Loop, terrain search and rescue crews describe as exposed and technical. When his phone died at the mountain's top, he lost his way down. Hearing what he thought was a highway with four hours left before the gondola closed for the day, he decided to descend in that direction—but the sound was actually pipeline construction. He slipped and fell in a drainage, injuring both his heel and wrist, and was unable to retrace his steps.
For several nights, Volo sheltered in a small cave near a waterfall with only a few packages of gummy bears to eat. He discovered a sweet-tasting wildflower he could consume and rationed it carefully. He saw several helicopters overhead but couldn't get their attention. "I basically relied too much on technology in this situation, and technology unfortunately sometimes fails," Volo said.
After considering his options, he chose to climb down rather than wait indefinitely for rescue. "You have two options basically, you wait for the helicopters to come and rescue you … or you have to do something about it. Basically I decided to take a chance and get out of there." Working slowly down the mountainside despite his injured foot, he eventually reached a river, then a forest service road where a construction worker connected him with search and rescue teams in the area.
Volo was discharged from hospital Saturday with bruises and a black eye. Tyler Duncan, search manager for Squamish Search and Rescue, described Volo's survival as "remarkable."
By the numbers
How long was Stanislav Volo lost in the mountains near Squamish?
Stanislav Volo was lost for five nights in technical alpine terrain near Squamish after his phone died at the top of Mount Habrich Loop.
What injuries did Volo sustain during his time lost?
Volo injured both his heel and wrist after slipping and falling in a drainage while descending the mountain.
What did Volo eat while lost in the mountains?
Volo rationed a few packages of gummy bears and consumed a sweet-tasting wildflower he discovered near his shelter to survive during his five nights lost.
How did Volo's rescue happen?
After deciding to descend the mountainside despite his injured foot, Volo reached a forest service road where a construction worker connected him with search and rescue teams in the area.
