BC

Photo: Contributed - CBC

Search crews have rescued a snowboarder who got lost in the mountains north of Vancouver, the second man to be saved in a week despite public warnings not to venture out of bounds.

West Vancouver Police say they were notified about 3 p.m. on Saturday that two snowboarders who had left the designated recreation area on Cypress Mountain became separated.

The man who made it back to safety reported his friend had not emerged, launching a mission by North Shore Search and Rescue.

Members used GPS and cell phone to determine the man's location, eventually reaching him below the snowline near a creek by voice contact at about 8:15 p.m. and in-person by 10:15 p.m.

The search team and snowboarder hiked down the mountain and by 12:30 a.m. Sunday the 30-year-old was celebrating his birthday at the team's command post, uninjured.

Last Sunday, a 33-year-old snowboarder from Ottawa was rescued from the wilderness is the same mountainous region but it took the crew three days to locate him.

Officials with the North Shore rescue team have been vocal that outdoor enthusiasts should stay in-bounds. Sebastien Boucher's rescue cost thousands of dollars, the team was forced to abandon about $30,000 worth of equipment and the man could have died.

Avalanche risks remain high in the backcountry.