Two local men will be presented with the Medal of Bravery by Governor General Michaëlle Jean after a heroic rescue at the top of Mount Robson two years ago. 

Chief pilot Dale Brady with Yellowhead Helicopters and Steve Blake, visitor safety specialist with Parks Canada, rescued a group of hikers off of Mount Robson in 2008 after they were reported overdue. The men had been on the mountain for three weeks when they found they could no longer continue. 

Brady said the hikers were on the peak at a very bad time of year. 

“The time of year was not generally conducive to climbing on Mount Robson,” he said. 

There was a concern that the men were lost, dead or injured after they didn’t return. Brady said the chances of them surviving another night in the stormy mountain were slim. 

 The rescue was a tough save, as the weather at the top of the Canadian Rockies’ highest peak was incredibly unstable. After getting a very small break in the weather, Brady and Blake headed up Mount Robson. Blake was lowered down from the helicopter and successfully extracted the men off the side of the mountain before the winds picked up again.

Brady was modest about the medal, saying he had no idea he could be in the running for such a prestigious award. 

“I was kind of surprised to hear it was in the works,” he said. 

Brady was unsure when the medal ceremony would be, but said it could be held in either Ottawa or Quebec. 

“Certainly it’s an honour,” he said. 

Blake was unable to be reached for comment as of the Fitzhugh’s deadline.