Two separate searches are underway after two men went missing hundreds of kilometres apart in northeast B.C.
RCMP say one of the missing is Sam Benastick, 20, who failed to return from a 10-day camping trip in Redfern-Keily Park, a remote provincial park about 250 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John. He was reported missing after failing to return home on Oct. 17.
The other missing person is Jim Barnes, who was last seen on Oct. 18 when he went grouse hunting with his dog near Groundbirch Forest Service Road, southeast of Chetwynd B.C., and about 60 kilometres southwest of Fort St. John.
Local search and rescue teams have confirmed to CBC News that they have deployed volunteers to aid in each of the searches.
Hiker last seen in remote park
RCMP say Sam Benastick’s family reported him missing on Saturday after he didn’t come home from the trip to Redfern-Keily Park, located about 250 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John.
They say Benastick started his hike on Oct. 7. His last update to his family was the following day, and he was supposed to return last Thursday.
The Mounties say Benastick is an avid hiker and camper, and he left on the trip with a tarp, a black Osprey backpack with red strings and other supplies.
Sam Benastick is shown in an RCMP handout photo. (RCMP)
They say “extensive resources” have been deployed to find him, including search and rescue personnel and the RCMP police dog services unit.
Anyone with information or who has visited the Redfern-Keily Park area since Oct. 7 is asked to contact the Northern Rockies RCMP detachment.
Hunter missing with dog. Truck found on service road
The second missing person is Jim Barnes, 29, who has been identified by his partner, Micaela Sawyer, as a paramedic who lives in Fort St. John.
She said he went out to gather firewood with his truck, dog and firearms used for hunting on Oct. 17.
She reported him missing after he failed to return home for his work shift on Oct. 18.
Jim Barnes and his dog, Murphy. (Submitted by Micaela Sawyer)
She told CBC News that RCMP had determined he was seen at around 11 a.m. on the 18th, and that police had located his vehicle, which still contained his phone, keys, bag and at least one firearm — though she believes he may have brought a second firearm with him that has not been located.
His dog, a golden retriever, is also missing.
RCMP told CBC News they are preparing a statement on their search. Local search and rescue crews have confirmed they are in the area.
Sawyer described Barnes as an experienced outdoorsman who is familiar with the area he went missing from and said she is hopeful he can still be found.
“It just doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “It’s very hard for me to wrap my head around.”