NORTH VANCOUVER - A Vancouver man has died after a rescue on Mount Harvey nearly two weeks ago.

The 44-year-old, an experienced climber, was hiking with a friend around the base of the mountain just northwest of North Vancouver on Jan. 18 when he decided to begin climbing on his own, said Keith Campden of Lions Bay Search and Rescue.

The two men had not come prepared with the necessary safety equipment for climbing, and only intended to scope out the terrain. When the climber didn't return within three hours, his friend returned to Lions Bay and made an emergency call.

A team of 18 rescuers from Lions Bay and four from North Shore Rescue responded in rainy and icy conditions.

"It was a very challenging call for both teams under very bad weather," said Tim Jones, spokesman for North Shore Rescue.

The climber was found at about midnight. He was hypothermic and suffering from several injuries, including a concussion. Rescuers suspect he had fallen or slid down a slow slope. He was carried down from the mountain on a stretcher and taken to hospital, where he died.