Calgary hiker dies after fall in Banff park
A Calgary woman has died after she fell during a hike on Mount Temple in Banff National Park as poor weather moved in.
Friends have identified her on social media as Jen Kunze, an avid runner, hiker and blogger.
At about 4: 55 p. m. Friday, Lake Louise RCMP and Parks Canada responded to reports of a sudden death near Lake Louise.
The investigation determined that Kunze and another person were scrambling up the common route on Mount Temple in Banff National Park.
At about 2: 30 p. m., a man called Parks Canada after falling while scrambling and hurting his leg, said Steve Holeczi, a visitor safety specialist with Parks Canada. The man had also lost sight of his hiking partner. The pair had reached the summit of Mount Temple and were on their way back down when weather conditions started to worsen, Holeczi said.
Three visitor safety specialists flew to the area in an Alpine Helicopter and located the man. Shortly after, they were able to find Kunze. She was heli- slung down to Lake Louise, where she was pronounced dead.