Helicopter rescues climber after massive wasp attack on B.C. rock wall

Two climbers were airlifted from the backcountry north of Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday after one suffered more than 100 wasp stings, rescue officials said.

Lions Bay Search and Rescue reported that the duo had just completed a climb of the Redoubt Wall near Loggers Creek, north of Lions Bay, B.C. While descending a trail, one of them inadvertently disturbed a wasp nest, triggering the attack.

The women’s identities were not disclosed, but the injured climber is a 33‑year‑old woman. “She exhibited a severe allergic reaction and had already taken antihistamines,” said Carolyn Kelly‑Smith, a rescue team medic who provided first aid.

Lions Bay Search and Rescue requested assistance from North Shore Rescue, which dispatched a helicopter. The woman required no additional medical care after the operation.

Multiple wasp stings can trigger life‑threatening allergic reactions. Although an EpiPen was not necessary in this instance, Ms. Kelly‑Smith stressed that backcountry hikers should carry one. Safety experts recommend wearing long pants, long‑sleeve shirts, or insect‑proof nets in areas where wasps are common.

“Even if you’ve never reacted to a wasp sting before, multiple stings raise the risk of a systemic reaction,” Ms. Kelly‑Smith warned. “A severe response can develop at any time.”

Symptoms may include intense swelling, hives, or a sensation of cold due to shock.

Located east of Howe Sound on B.C.’s coastline, the Redoubt Wall is a “fully vertical” climbing site, noted by Maria Masiar, search manager for Lions Bay Search and Rescue.

Tuesday’s rescue marks the second helicopter evacuation of wasp‑stung hikers this year in the region, according to Lions Bay and North Shore Rescue. On July 30, a party en route to Elsay Lake, north of Vancouver, encountered a disturbed wasp nest, resulting in over 20 stings to one member. The group administered antihistamines to stabilize the victim before contacting rescue services, The Vancouver Sun reported.

A rescue team arrived by helicopter, rappelled to treat the injured climber, and then lifted the entire party to safety, The Sun reported.

“The season has been unusually aggressive; we’ve launched a tracker for wasp activity in the corridor,” Ms. Masiar said.

She attributed the surge to a mild winter and an early spring, noting that complaints started as early as April.

Wasp activity typically peaks in August and September, according to local officials.

The individual who disturbs a nest faces the greatest danger of an attack. Dogs are especially at risk, as they may step on nests hidden underground or in trees and logs. Unlike bees, wasps retain their stingers and can sting repeatedly while feeling threatened.

The most effective response to a swarm attack is to run away from the area, though wasps may sometimes chase the victim.

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