Missing Surrey snowshoer caught in avalanche found dead on Vancouver mountain

A Surrey snowshoer who went missing in the backcountry of Mt. Seymour has been found dead.

Remi Michalowski, 39, has been missing since Monday when an avalanche hit him and a friend while out on an overnight trip. His friend, a 30-year-old man, was able to cling to a tree and call 911, before being rescued by search crews.

North Shore Rescue’s Mike Danks confirmed Michalowski’s body was found around 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 20).

”Our condolences go out to the family. This has to be a very challenging thing to lose a son. I’m just thankful we were able to provide closure.”

Danks said the searchers scoured through debris looking for Michalowski.

Rescuers were forced to take a break in their search on Tuesday, due to a snowstorm, but resumed their efforts Wednsday.

North Shore Rescue said on Facebook Wednesday that their long-line team were waiting on stand-by as Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog teams and Canadian Avalanche Association personnel headed across the mountainside.

@NSRescue I've read reports that you have resumed looking for the missing Surrey man, after calling off the search yesterday due to weather. Can you confirm?

— Amy Marie Reid (@amyreid87) February 20, 2019

. @NSRescue says it will be resuming their search on Mount Seymour for Surrey man Remi Michalowski. He has been missing since Monday when he was caught in an avalanche while snowshoeing. (Photos from NSRESCUE, Facebook) pic.twitter.com/dwLP2XBpY5

— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) February 20, 2019

The avalanche danger remains considerable. Temperatures are predicted to increase during the day, North Shore Rescue said, and avalanche danger in the area will be monitored carefully.

With files from The Canadian Press

@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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