The board of directors of Cain’s Quest says two teams and a group of volunteers stranded when the endurance race was suddenly cancelled due to dangerous conditions are now home safe and sound. The board and organizing committee last night reported that Team 24, Team 88 and the Checkpoint 4 volunteers who travelled toward the teams to offer assistance, all returned safely.
The board says Team 24 activated its emergency extrication beacon Monday evening. Team 88 was approaching Team 24’s location at the time and Cain’s Quest organizers had communication with Team 88 via InReach. Cain’s Quest was advised that Team 24 was not injured but had become stuck and wet. Weather conditions were deemed unsafe for extraction at that time.
It was determined that the best course of action was for the teams to remain in place until daylight. All teams were equipped with survival gear including food, dry clothing, bivy/tent, sleeping bags, and equipment to build fires.
On Mar 7 JRCC Halifax received a request for assistance from Labrador RCMP to rescue 4 stranded snowmobilers who were taking part in Cain's Quest Endurance Race.
444 Sqn rescued everyone and transferred them to an ambulance at 5 Wing Goose Bay.#RESCUE #CH146 pic.twitter.com/8EIVK09aMm
— Halifax JRCC CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) March 8, 2023
The Cain’s Quest team monitored the status of the stranded teams throughout the night and into the morning and search and rescue personnel were on standby waiting for a break in the weather. The following morning, Cain’s Quest Checkpoint #4 volunteers set out toward the teams to offer assistance as the Cain’s Quest helicopter continued to look for a break in the weather.
With continued poor weather conditions Cain’s Quest requested assistance from the RCMP SAR in extracting the teams using its enhanced helicopter capabilities. Helicopter assistance was deployed from Goose Bay and the teams were extracted without incident.
The Checkpoint number 4 volunteers who had set out toward the teams made their way out from the area and reported late Wednesday afternoon that they were safely out of the area.
Cain’s Quest is pleased all participants and volunteers are home safe, and they offer their thanks to search and rescue personnel and the numerous Cain’s Quest volunteers who worked through the night and the following day to coordinate the extraction of the teams.
