Reported missing skier from Sweden turns up near Golden/Revelstoke area, RCMP call off search
By Nelson Daily Staff
A skier from Sweden who was thought to have been missing in the Ripple Ridge area, near the top of Salmo-Creston Summit has been located said Salmo and Nelson Rural RCMP in a release Friday.
Bjorn Soderlund, who is staying in Nelson, is believed to be camping in the Golden/Revelstoke area and is to have access to email.
Initial reports had the 6’7″, 190-pound Soderlund departing from Nelson on Sunday (April 8) for a planned backcountry ski trip with two to three other skiers.
Soderlund, 23, was to have returned to Nelson on Tuesday but did not shown up. He was reported missing to Nelson RCMP by an acquaintance on Thursday (April 12).
Nelson Search and Rescue completed an extensive Helicopter and snowmobile search of the Ripple Ridge Trails and Cabins with negative results.
Late Friday Salmo and Nelson Rural RCMP confirmed that Soderlund obtained a permit for back country travel near Revelstoke on April 9th and have been able to identify the his traveling associates.
Investigators have also made contact with some of Soderlund’s most recent associates.
As a result, arrangements are currently being made for Soderlund to meet with RCMP in Golden or Revelstoke to verify he is all right.
The RCMP file will remain open until Soderlund meets with police; however, he is no longer considered a high priority missing/overdue person or the victim of an avalanche.
RCMP asks that backcountry travelers always leave detailed itineraries with friends or relatives.
If travel plans change then friends and relatives should be updated.
This will narrow down search parameters for Police and Search and Rescue when reports are received of overdue backcountry travelers, not to mention reducing the stress and anxiety of friends and relatives.
The Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment wishes to thank Nelson Search and Rescue as well as the West Kootenay media for their valuable assistance in this investigation.
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