Two hikers were rescued near Grouse Mountain late Monday evening, an incident that has North Shore Rescue crews once again asking people to be better prepared hiking in the back country.

Erica Duhaney and Yu Chan Chung, both in their mid-twenties, set out for a hike at 11 a.m. on Monday from Lynn Valley to Norvan Falls. The pair decided to extend the trip to Grouse Mountain, not realizing how much elevation there would be on the trail – or that there would be snow.

“There is snow now, which surprised them,” said Allan McMordie, search manager with North Shore Rescue. “They were not very well prepared.”

The hikers lost the trail in the Crown Pass area northwest of Grouse Mountain as it got dark, and called 911 around 8 p.m.

Fourteen rescue crew volunteers were deployed, using ropes to reach the pair. The hikers were cold and wet when crews got to them, added McMordie, but otherwise in good shape.

“Words can’t describe” how happy they were when rescue crews arrive, the hikers told CTV News.

“Even to just see the flare – I’m so happy,” said Chung, who is from Taiwan. “We didn’t [think] that it was that challenging – but obviously we were wrong.”

“I’m doing pretty well now, thanks to the North Shore Rescue team,” said Duhaney. “I just want to say thank you to them, they’re awesome…We learned our lesson.”

McMordie is reminding other hikers that as the winter approaches, taking the “10 essentials” on all hikes is even more important – as is letting people know where you are and when you’ll be back.

“Nobody knew [the hikers] were out in the valley,” he said. “They were very, very lucky.”

Hiking essentials include extra clothing, a light source, extra food, warm clothing, a map and compass.

“It does get fairly dangerous as we head into the cold weather,” McMordie said. “The rocks start getting slippery, there’s snow, you can slip and fall, break a bone, and not be able to phone out…It’s always good to hike with somebody, and make sure you know the trail.”

A complete list of hiking essentials can be found on the North Shore Rescue website.