Two snowboarders needed to be rescued after the pair became lost on a trip to a nearby peak.
The two men visiting from Alberta, and their dog, were found cold and tired early Friday morning by Nelson Search and Rescue. The pair were found by a 12-member team, according to spokesman Chris Armstrong.
Armstrong said the search, which began at 5:30 p.m. Thursday after the snowboarders used limited cell service to alert the RCMP Nelson detachment, was hampered by heavy snow and gusts of wind.
"These guys tracks were getting blown in, so [rescuers] had to predict where they went to keep searching," said Armstrong.
The snowboarders had thought they were headed up White Queen ridge, just north of Whitewater Ski Resort. Rescuers eventually decided the pair hadn't actually gone up White Queen and instead ended up on nearby Mount Beattie, which is north of White Queen.
The pair were finally found at 2:34 a.m., and returned to the trail head with rescuers after a nearly three-hour hike.
Armstrong said the men were lucky to be found.
"They were prepared. They had all the proper avalanche equipment and gear for a day hike. But they weren't prepared for the multi-day situation they were headed into," said Armstrong.