It was a long night for a lone snowmobiler when he got stuck by the Microwave, south of Fernie, and had to spend last Thursday night alone.
Search and Rescue was called and thanks to their efforts, the 26 year old was found by 9 am the next morning.
"SAR did a wonderful job," says Dale Wadstein of Calgary.
He was visiting Fernie to help out with the Big Air Competition held by the Snowboarders for Christ. Having just started sledding this year, he was excited about carving up some of the new powder. But because there was no one around to go with him, he went alone: his biggest mistake, according to SAR member Brett Uphill.
"Don't go out by yourself," he warns.
Wadstein had left at about 2 pm and had slipped over an embankment. He looked for an alternative route but exhausted his options. He finally made it above the area where he slipped over but got stuck again.
Worn out, with dark falling over him and a storm rolling in, he decided to build a snow cave in a clearing and rest. When he woke up the full moon was out and he tried again to get home.
Battling deep snow, having to dig his machine out several times, Wadstein says he gave up after hitting a rock and dumping his machine yet again. He spent the night sleeping along side it.
His family from Calgary and several members of SAR set out at 6 am and three hours later, found their man.
"It was exciting" says Wadstein, who wasn't overly worried about the situation because he had let several people know where he was sledding.
Uphill says the rescue was quick and inexpensive because there were no complications or injuries.