SOUTHEND, Sask. — Police were continuing to look Monday for five youths missing on a northern Saskatchewan lake since last week.
RCMP spokeswoman Mandy Maier said strong winds, large waves and dropping temperatures have been hampering search efforts on Reindeer Lake.
"The weather has not been good in the area," said Maier, who added that temperatures were ranging from -10 to -18 C. "Ultimately our concern is the water is going to freeze possibly. It's going to be snowing and cold."
Police said the teens, who left the community of Southend on Tuesday in two aluminum boats, were equipped for overnight camping and may have taken shelter on shore from the cold and wind.
They were going moose hunting, police said, and planned to be gone for a couple of days. They didn't arrive back when they were supposed to, however, and police in Southend were notified late Thursday night.
The group includes four boys and one girl ranging in age from 13 to 17.
Maier said search-and-rescue officials saw two boats docked at a private lodge on Saturday, but no one was unable to get to the area until Sunday due to poor weather.
"The cabin was vacant at that point," she said.
The lodge had been broken into and some supplies were taken, but police weren't able to confirm that the group was there, she said.
"We can't say specifically it was them, but we do hope that they are safe at this point."
Maier added that search-and-rescue officials sought advice from locals, due to the size of the lake.
Reindeer Lake is Saskatchewan's second-largest lake, with a surface of over 6,650 square kilometres and with numerous islands and bays.
The community of Southend is the terminus of Highway 102, which is the only road access to the lake.
"The community as a whole has really come together and provided assistance for our members and (Civilian Air Search and Rescue) as well," Maier said.
Police said there is little to no cellular service in any area of Reindeer Lake, except in the vicinity of Southend.
Maier said she didn't know if the youth are related to each other.
