The body of a Norwegian trekker missing since Aug. 14 has been discovered, marking a tragic end to a more than week-long search and rescue effort in northern Manitoba.
On Sunday morning Gilliam RCMP and Parks Canada, along with community searchers from Fort Severn, were searching the west side of the Hayes River for 29-year-old Steffen Skjottelvik, an RCMP news release said.
Police say a helicopter pilot told the search parties he believed he found the body of the missing hiker a short distance away from where his jacket had been located on Friday afternoon.
Gillam RCMP and Parks Canada officers, along with the community searchers from Fort Severn, went to the location and confirmed that the body recovered on shore was that of the missing 29-year-old Norwegian hiker.
His body was transported by helicopter to Gillam, Man., where it was then flown to Winnipeg. An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday morning.
Skjottelvik left Fort Severn, Ont., on foot on July 25 with two dogs and planned to arrive in York Factory, Man., on Aug. 15 — a distance of more than 300 kilometres along the shore of Hudson Bay. He didn’t show up, but one of his dogs did, police said.
RCMP say contact was made with him on Aug. 13, when he arrived at Nanuk camp — about 40 kilometres east of York Factory — and stated that he had lost one of his dogs on the journey.
The man made contact with York Factory on Aug. 14, stating his expected time of arrival there would be on Aug. 15, said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre.
The man was an experienced Norwegian wilderness traveller, according to information supplied to police, but Manaigre said the terrain and wildlife in the area where he was travelling is known to be extremely treacherous.
Gillam RCMP said they would like to thank the community members from Fort Severn, and Parks Canada who assisted with this search.
