Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) raced into the woods north of Kelowna Thursday night after two hikers dialed 911. They reported hearing cries for help near the Boulderfields, a well-known climbing area off the old Kettle Valley Railway line. COSAR search manager Duane Tresnich said the call arrived just as the team was on its regular training night.
Since Thursday is their standard practice evening, COSAR assembled its full team. Two RCMP officers joined the search, along with the drone unit. By 8:30 p.m., searchers were fanning out on foot along the trails. Other members patrolled the nearby forest roads in their vehicles.
“We heard someone yelling ‘help,’” Tresnich said. “It echoed through the rocks.” At first, the team could not tell what the sounds meant. Were they cries for aid or something else? One member even joked that it sounded like a rock song.
After sweeping one trail, a foot team moved closer to the noise. They soon spotted a lone camper beneath a stand of pine trees. He was leaning against his tent with a small speaker. It turned out he was belting out karaoke tunes for his own entertainment.
“He was oblivious to the fuss he caused,” Tresnich noted. “He thought the woods were a great stage.” The tent-side performer had no idea that his singing carried far on the cool night air. The strange acoustics of the Boulderfields had turned his tunes into what sounded like a distress call.
When the searchers introduced themselves, the camper was surprised. He apologized and explained he was testing new karaoke tracks from his phone. He had no phone signal, so he did not hear any hikers nearby. He assumed he was alone in the clearing.
Rescuers quickly confirmed the man was safe and well. The RCMP officers checked his gear and verified his campsite met safety rules. No one was injured or lost. The only distress was the off-key singing.
COSAR praised the hikers who called for help. Tresnich emphasized that it is vital to report any sign of trouble. He reminded the public that search and rescue services are free of charge. Any unnecessary call, he said, is better than a missed emergency.
“If it really had been a lost hiker or a serious injury, our response could have saved a life,” he said. “We’d rather chase karaoke than risk leaving someone in danger.”
The team wrapped up the mission just after 10 p.m. They packed away their gear and returned to base for a quick debrief. Members shared laughs over the night’s unexpected finale. Some even joked about offering singing lessons to the camper.
Local officials say this incident underscores two points. First, the rugged terrain around Kelowna can mask sounds. Echoes may travel farther and confuse listeners. Second, hikers should carry whistles or other signal devices. Clear distress signals cut through even the trickiest echoes.
Hiking experts add that anyone planning a solo music session in the woods should use headphones. That way, forest acoustics stay tame and rescuers aren’t called out by surprise. Simple steps can prevent future karaoke rescues.
For now, hikers near Kelowna can rest easy knowing every call will get a serious response—even when it turns out to be a karaoke camper serenade.
