Missing B.C. Hiker Found Dead in Alberta National Park

An 81-year-old hiker from Golden, British Columbia, has been found dead in Waterton Lakes National Park after failing to reach his planned destination in southern Alberta.

According to Parks Canada, staff received a missing person report on July 23 after Bob Toothill did not arrive at his scheduled meeting point while hiking the Great Divide Trail between Waterton Lakes National Park and Coleman, Alta.

Search Began After Missed Meet-Up

Bob was trekking Section A of the Great Divide Trail, a challenging 145-kilometre stretch of the larger 1,100-kilometre wilderness route that follows the Continental Divide through Alberta and British Columbia.

Search and rescue teams were deployed after he failed to reach his meet-up location in the Crowsnest Pass. His last confirmed location was the Rowe Lakes Trail on July 19.

Large Search Operation Narrowed Search Area

Parks Canada, with assistance from the Alberta RCMP, carried out an extensive ground and aerial search. The operation included K9 teams, drone operators, specialized helicopters and thermal imaging technology.

During the search, crews recovered several personal belongings belonging to Toothill, allowing searchers to focus their efforts on a specific area within Waterton Lakes National Park.

Hiker Died Following Fall

On July 30, search teams discovered Bob Toothill deceased inside the national park.

An update shared by his daughter stated that he slipped and fell while hiking in the Lineham Ridge area. Parks Canada confirmed that his family has been notified.

The search for Bob Toothill ended tragically after more than a week of rescue efforts involving multiple agencies and specialized resources.

Authorities located the experienced hiker in Waterton Lakes National Park, where he reportedly died after a fall during his trek along the Great Divide Trail.