Comox Valley Man Conquers Mount Becher Again One Year After Rescue

We have an update on a story we first brought you last year when Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue rescued a man lost on Mount Becher.

78 year old Terry Vrain spent a cold and frightening night out on the mountain in August of last year. A year later, he made it back to the summit.

Dr. Vrain, co-founder of Innisfree Farm & Botanic Garden in Royston, was completing his annual hike with friends when he missed a turning, took a side trail and went down the wrong way.

That led to 24 hours alone on the mountain, with no water or supplies, and a back injury, until the volunteer Search & Rescue team was able to locate him and winch him to safety.

Vrain then helped raise $35,000 from the local community for the CVGSAR. He’s since gone on to participate in several initiatives to bring awareness to their life saving work and to help raise more funds for the local organization.

Despite concerns about whether he could complete the hike this year, Vrain says he chose to face his fears and start training to ensure he would be ready to once again climb Mt. Becher.

"I do have concerns about getting old and feeble," Vrain says, "so plenty of exercise is in order, and it's good for my brain too."

Vrain continues to be grateful for the CVGSAR for saving his life, and he wants everyone to know the importance of being prepared.

"The body and mind need to be trained and prepared, and the emergency supplies and emergency plans are critical too, just in case.", said Vrain.

For more information about the local volunteer-led search and rescue team and their current fundraising for a new facility, visit Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser.