Heroic Night Rescue: Hiker's Cliffside Ordeal Ends in Profound Gratitude

A harrowing misstep on a seemingly innocuous trail turned into a dramatic cliffside rescue for Alex Van Amerongen, who is now expressing immense gratitude to the Coquitlam Search and Rescue team. The ordeal unfolded in Belcarra Regional Park, leaving Van Amerongen stranded on a steep, slippery cliff face as darkness descended, forcing rescuers to perform a complex operation under challenging conditions.

Van Amerongen had embarked on a hike on the popular Jug Island Trail in Port Moody when a momentary lapse in judgment led him astray.

"I was going for a little wander, and I took one wrong step and ended up on a sheer, straight cliff face for 60 feet," he recounted. The terrain, already treacherous, became even more perilous as evening approached, making any self-rescue attempt impossible.

As daylight faded, Van Amerongen realized the gravity of his situation.

With no option but to call for help, he contacted emergency services, triggering a rapid response from Coquitlam Search and Rescue. The team, known for its expertise in technical and challenging terrains, quickly mobilized.

The conditions faced by the rescuers were far from ideal. Operating in pitch black, battling freezing fog and high winds, the SAR technicians meticulously prepared for a technical rope rescue.

"They had to rappel 60 feet down to me," Van Amerongen explained, detailing the precise and dangerous nature of the operation. The rescue involved carefully lowering a rescuer to Van Amerongen's position, securing him, and then painstakingly hauling him back up the treacherous rock face.

The entire rescue operation stretched over three grueling hours.

For Van Amerongen, those hours were filled with a mix of fear and relief, knowing that highly trained professionals were risking their own safety to save him. Upon reaching safe ground, he was overwhelmed with emotion and a deep sense of indebtedness.

"I'm very indebted to the guys who pulled me out of there," Van Amerongen stated, emphasizing the critical role SAR teams play in ensuring the safety of outdoor enthusiasts.

He emerged from the ordeal unscathed, physically, but profoundly impacted by the experience and the selfless actions of his rescuers. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of the wilderness and the indispensable service provided by dedicated search and rescue volunteers.