Former Amazing Race Canada Competitor Fell Over 800-Feet to His Death off Mount Gimli, BC

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Kenneth McAlpine, 28. Credit: Twitter

An experienced hiker and former Amazing Race Canada contestant has died after falling more than 800-feet from the peak of a popular mountain near Slocan, BC.

The body of Kenneth McAlpine was recovered from Mount Gimli, at the edge of Valhalla Provincial Park, late Tuesday. It’s believed the 28-year-old stumbled on the last section of the trail approaching the main peak, where the path becomes a narrow, ledgy scramble, where hikers have to clamber up on their hands and knees, according to The World News.

“We figure it’s that section that he lost his footing on,” said Mike Hudson, president of South Columbia Search and Rescue.

Hudson added that McAlpine fell 251 meters, equal to nearly 60 floors. McAlpine had begun his hike on Monday, his 28th birthday, and friends phoned RCMP when he didn’t show up for a planned bike ride. Mounties began looking for McAlpine, and search and rescue crews were called in around 6:30 am PT on Tuesday. Searchers found his body hours later, but couldn’t reach him on foot due to dangerous terrain. A helicopter completed the recovery later in the day.

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Mount Gimli, BC. Credit: Gripped

Officers are looking to speak with other hikers who were in the area of the peak around the time he may have fallen. The BC Coroners Service is also investigating.

Hudson said McAlpine was experienced but had never been to that particular part of Mount Gimli before. He wasn’t using climbing gear, but Hudson said one generally wouldn’t on that route.

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Valhalla Provincial Park

McAlpine, who lived in Rossland, BC, was a contestant on the fifth season of the Amazing Race Canada. He and his race partner, best friend Ryan Lachappelle, were runners-up in the 2017 race.


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