A climber in British Columbia was rescued by helicopter after sustaining numerous wasp stings in the wilderness north of Vancouver. Lions Bay Search and Rescue reported that the female climber was on Redoubt Wall near Loggers Creek when she encountered the wasps. Following the incident, medical teams initially estimated over 100 stings, but upon further assessment, it was clarified that the climber had actually been stung around 20 times, resulting in hives due to a reaction.

In response to the situation, a ground team was dispatched to the location equipped with emergency medical supplies to address any potential severe reactions to the stings. Recognizing the climber’s inability to hike out, Lions Bay Search and Rescue requested a helicopter extraction from North Shore Rescue.

Rescuers were deployed to assist in airlifting the climber from the site amidst dense tree cover, and she was subsequently transferred to B.C. Emergency Health Services for medical attention. Redoubt Wall, where the incident occurred, is situated approximately 40 kilometers north of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway.

The rescue operation serves as a poignant reminder of the swift escalation of wasp encounters into serious backcountry medical emergencies, especially when individuals sustain a significant number of stings.