THUNDER BAY – At the height of one of perhaps the worst weather days, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue crews performed a rescue on Mount Mckay.
At 5:42 PM Thunder Bay Fire Rescue received an alarm for two people stranded on the north face on Mount McKay.
Two males in their early twenties attempted to climb the path situated in the middle of the north face but became unable to move up or down short of the lookout level. With the days rain and snow the area was covered with ice.
The males were in a section of the trail where it transitions to a steeper incline, and with the loose rock and shale being so slick they were unable to safely return to ground. One of the males used his cell phone and called 911 for help.
Three pumpers crews, a Technical Rescue Unit, and an all terrain vehicle responded, carrying 15 Fire Fighters. The rescue was undertaken from the ground up to the males.
Working from the lookout level down was deemed too labour intensive and lengthy as the road is not cleared of snow and the ice build up in the raven above the hikers too dangerous.
Fire Fighters reached the pair and prepared them for an assisted decent utilizing rope belay systems that were carried up on the Fire Fighters backs.
Once down the pair were assessed by waiting Paramedics and released. Anishinabek Police Service was on scene and interviewed the individuals.
