Camper found safe

Photo: Google Maps

UPDATE: 10 p.m.

An RCMP spokesperson has confirmed that a camper who had been reported missing in the Spectrum Lake area, north of Cherryville, was found unharmed Wednesday evening.

A search was launched in the afternoon after a police aircraft earlier failed to spot the Armstrong man's camp from the air. His family had reported him missing.

No other details have been released.

UPDATE: 2:03 P.M.

A ground and air search has been launched for a missing Armstrong man who has been on a hiking and camping trip in Monashee Provincial Park, in the Spectrum Lake area, north of Cherryville.

RCMP have identified the missing camper as Brett Hartwig, 45.

Hartwig is described as five-foot-11-inches tall and 186 lbs with green eyes and grey hair.

“His family reported him missing” at 9 a.m. Wednesday, said Cpl. Trevor Tribes of the Lumby detachment.

“He is described as an avid outdoorsman who is very well equipped,” said Tribes.

Hartwig kept in touch with his family by use of a spot beacon, but it has not been heard since Monday.

“An initial air search by RCMP Air Services this morning did not locate him” although Hartwig's vehicle was found at the Spectrum Lake trail head, said Tribes, who added search and rescue volunteers were en route to the location.

The officer described Spectrum Lake as a remote, hike-in only lake.

Vernon Search and Rescue volunteers have set out to look for a missing camper in the Spectrum Lake area of Monashee Provincial Park, north of Cherryville.

“He was checking in on a regular basis but he hasn't been heard from since Monday,” said Pete Wise, a search co-ordinator.

Wise said searchers are heading to the area at the request of the RCMP.

He could not provide any details about the camper other than he is a male.

The man's vehicle has been located and that is where the search will begin, said Wise.

A plane manned by members of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association is flying over the area.