Rescuers were able to find and evacuate four of the hikers, but could not find the fifth man. The trail, which is within sight of downtown Vancouver, is popular with hikers in both winter and summer. Signs were posted warning hikers of the potential avalanche danger because of a slide earlier this winter. Searchers, who were aided by dogs trained to find people buried in the snow, were forced to call off their search late Wednesday because of bad weather and the threat of more avalanches. All four of the hikers rescued from the trail had injuries, including one man with broken legs.
Officials acknowledge there is little hope the missing hiker is still alive.
The men, who are from Vancouver and Ontario, were not identified.