A man from Squamish, B.C., was successfully rescued on Tuesday after encountering a mishap while BASE jumping off Slhanay Mountain. BASE jumping involves parachuting or wingsuit flying from fixed structures or cliffs, with the BASE acronym representing building, antenna, span, and earth.
Zachery Mayne, the jumper, experienced a 90-degree turn during his jump on Nov. 11, leading to a collision with the mountain’s rock face. His parachute collapsed, causing him to start descending towards the ground before catching onto the rock. Mayne managed to maneuver to a small area and disentangle himself from the parachute to prevent being blown off the mountain.
His friends contacted Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) around 4:30 p.m. PT, guiding 30 SAR members to his location approximately 20 meters below a cliff on Slhanay Peak. Upon arrival, SAR found Mayne clinging to a rock outcropping, preventing a potential fatal fall of over 450 meters.
After a challenging hike through demanding terrain, SAR enlisted the help of North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopters to extract Mayne from the area. The rescue operation concluded at midnight, with Mayne transported to the hospital in serious but stable condition due to significant lower leg injuries.
Expressing gratitude, Mayne thanked the rescue teams, his assisting friends, and the Squamish community for their support. BC Emergency Health Services provided details on Mayne’s condition, emphasizing the importance of outdoor safety awareness, especially in November’s rapidly darkening and cold mountain conditions.
Over the past five years, British Columbia has witnessed 14 BASE jumping incidents, primarily in Squamish, involving searches, rescues, or recoveries. B.C. AdventureSmart highlighted data from 2020, reporting 10 rescues in Squamish and one each in Pemberton, the Comox Valley, Chilliwack, and Kent Harrison. Despite the relatively low incident numbers compared to other high-risk aerial sports, B.C. AdventureSmart stresses the necessity for thorough planning, preparedness, and safety prioritization for participants engaging in BASE jumping and other risky outdoor activities.