An afternoon hike through the badlands turned desperate for two young ladies from Drumheller on Wednesday evening.
At roughly 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, emergency crews responded to a 911 call from a pair of sisters who had gotten lost in Horsethief Canyon and they were in dire need of help to get out.
The sisters, aged 20 and 12, had decided to go for a hike given the nice weather. However, they became lost in the maze-like coulees and ravines of the Badlands. They described their panic after becoming lost.
“We tried to find another way out, but we couldn’t find it. Eventually it was too steep to climb and we didn’t have any water,” said the elder sister, who did not wish to be named.
The sisters wandered for roughly three hours in search of a way out or a cell phone signal so they could call for help.
When they finally got a signal, they called 911. Drumheller RCMP, the Drumheller Fire Department, and the Munson Fire Department rushed out to Horsethief Canyon to locate the ladies.
Boats were called in and the RCMP brought their ATV.
The girls were soon located by firefighters and the ATV was lowered by a winch into the valley to pick them up. The sisters were unharmed, and were checked over for any signs of dehydration and heat stroke. They were given plenty of water and allowed to drive home.
They had a couple pieces of advice for anyone wanting to go for a hike and a message to the crews who helped them.
“Bring lots of water and something to leave a trail so you can find your way back,” said the elder sister. “And to everyone who came out, thank you so much, it was much appreciated.”
