As recreational travel reopens in British Columbia, many people are heading to the Great Outdoors amid the sunny weather.

However, two recent search missions serve as reminders about the risks that remain present, and the need to be properly prepared before heading out.

Albertan kayaker missing in B.C.

North District RCMP stated that Wells RCMP received a report on June 22 about a 60-year-old man from Alberta who was last seen kayaking in the Bowron Lake Chain but had gone missing.

He had failed to arrive at the Isaac Falls portage site.

RCMP stated that it is believed he missed the exit point and went over Isaac Falls.

Park rangers and search and rescue crews searched for the man at the location.

SAR Swift Water Rescue located his kayak and life jacket, but the man has not been found. He is presumed to have drowned.

Chilliwack river rescue

Upper Fraser Valley RCMP stated today (June 24) that around 6:45 p.m. on June 21, Chilliwack RCMP responded to a report about two women who were stranded in Vedder River near Lickman Road.

A group of six people had been water tubing on a river but two of the individuals became separated from them. Four individuals managed to leave the river at Yarrow.

Officers arrived at the location and found one of the women clinging to a log in the river while a second woman was on a sandbar.

Unfortunately, high water levels and a strong current prevented first responders from reaching the two individuals.

Chilliwack Search and Rescue launched a raft to rescue the two women.

Safety tips for outdoor recreation on rivers or backcountry areas are available at the Chilliwack SAR website.