Photo: Jeremy Vandekerkhove

Vernon Search and Rescue Helicopter team rescues lost snowmobiler on Jan. 22, 2019.

A snowmobiler who got separated from his group had to spend the night in an avalanche hazard area on Hunters Range, near Enderby.

The male was last seen on Sunday at about 2 p.m.

Friends and family tried to locate the man but were unsuccessful.

RCMP and Vernon Search and Rescue crews spent hours searching for the man and were able to finally find the subject at about 5:30 p.m.

“He was in the middle of this avalanche area which the helicopter was unable to get to and couldn’t land because it was too steep,” said Vernon Search and Rescue manager Leigh Pearson. "It was a difficult spot to get to."

At first light the crews returned to the scene.

Vernon SAR helicopter winch rescue was activated to get into the difficult area and were able to safely rescue the man at about 9:30 a.m. on Monday.

“He was cold, very tired, but other than that no injuries,” said Pearson.