North Shore Rescue escorts lost hikers off Crown Mountain trail

Two hikers have been escorted off theCrown Mountain trailon the North Shore after their call for help triggered a local rescue effort.

North Shore Rescue team leader Mike Danks said the experienced hikers, a man and woman, set off for the difficult, seven-hour hike at 6:30 a.m.

The trail is currently closed for the season.

"Obviously we don't want people going backthere," said Danks.

Danks said the paircalled 911 around 8 p.m. PT saying they had gotten lost, but were prepared to stay overnight. The call triggered the rescue group into action. For at least 45 minutes, neither police nor NSR were able to get in touch with them.

But thehikers then called police again to say they had found the trail, said Danks, who said the woman wasn't pleased when police insisted the rescue effort continue.

"That's not very helpful," said Danks.

Danks said police were concernedbecause the hikers were finding their way back with only the light from a cellphone.

Eventually, the pair was escorted back to the trail head by Grouse MoutainResort staff and NSR rescuers, said Danks.

North Shore Rescue has repeatedly said how frustrated it hasbeen with ill-prepared hikers this past year.

Its team of volunteerstook part in 138 rescues in 2015, the most in its 50-year history; on average, the group gets 90 calls a year.