An inter-agency search using boats and planes was deployed to successfully locate a hiker lost overnight in Voyageurs National Park earlier this month.
In the early-morning hours of August 5, Voyageurs’ Park Rangers learned that a hiker had failed to return to his campsite in Lost Bay on Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park. Shortly after, Park Rangers and St. Louis County Deputies began a land and water search.
After dawn, they were joined by the St. Louis County Volunteer Search and Rescue Squad, additional park staff, the park’s airplane, and a Forest Service Officer. Overall, 25 individuals from multiple agencies were deployed on land, water, and air.
Around noon, Jeremy Brands of Minnesota was spotted by the park’s pilot approximately three-quarters of a mile from his campsite near a swamp. He was contacted by park rangers shortly afterward and returned to his campsite and family in good condition. Brands had lost his way after darkness fell.
“We are pleased Mr. Brands was located in good condition,” Park Superintendent Mike Ward said. “I would like to remind visitors to be prepared for even short hikes and have a plan in place that details their route and time they plan to return.”