An RCMP helicopter flies over the North Shore mountains in February 2010.Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
Two hikers have walked out to safety after an unexpected night in the rugged backcountry of Vancouver's North Shore mountains.
The man and woman are in good condition, despite their ordeal.
They became separated from a larger group Monday on the Howe Sound Crest trail, a demanding, 11-hour hike between the Cypress Mountain resort in West Vancouver and Porteau Cove north of Vancouver.
West Vancouver Police Constable Jeff Palmer says the pair showed up at the Lions Bay fire hall early Tuesday morning.
Teams from North Shore Rescue, Lions Bay and Coquitlam Search and Rescue were beginning another check of the difficult 29-kilometre trail when the couple was located.
Concern was growing because the man and woman were not believed to be carrying any extra food, clothing, water, flashlights or provisions for an overnight stay.