A member of the North Shore Rescue team died Thursday after falling 30 metres into a crevasse while skiing across a glacier on Mount Gilbert, about 160 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.

Johannes Mullegger, 36, was originally from Austria, but had lived in Vancouver for a number of years and had been a member of the highly trained NSR team for two years, according the team's operational search manager Tim Jones.

Mullegger, who was an experienced backcountry traveller, was leading two other skiers across the glacier, checking for potential problems on the route, when he fell into the crevasse, said Jones.

"He had the satellite phone with him," said Jones, "The two friends set up an anchor and rappelled down to him and retrieved the satellite phone, administered first aid and then were able to get out and make a call."

An airborne rescue team from CFB Comox, on Vancouver Island, responded to a 911 call from the men at about 8 p.m., according to Mark Proulx of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria.

Called 911 on satellite phone

"Upon its arrival, the Cormorant hoisted a search and rescue technician down to assess the situation and attend to the two members left on the mountain," said the statement, issued by the air force's 19 Wing Comox.

The two men were brought on board the Cormorant and the search and rescue technician descended into the crevasse. "He was found with no detectable vital signs," said the statement.

Mullenger's body was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox, where he was pronounced dead.

Jones said Mullegger had moved to Metro Vancouver from Austria and had worked with the team for about two years.

"He fit right in with our team," he said. "He was really an unassuming guy that you could always count on. He carried the heaviest pack. He was a great guy," said Jones.

Mullegger was experienced and the group had just begun the 11-day backcountry tour when the accident occurred, Jones said

"We're meeting tonight. There's a counsellor coming tonight," Jones said Friday. "We're probably going to plan a memorial for him. He's from Austria, he'll be returned back to Austria."

Mount Gilbert is an extremely remote area with no road access, but a popular destination for backcountry hikers, said Proulx.

With files from The Canadian Press