TCSAR Helps Backpacker in Distress in the Teton Wilderness

At 10:46 a.m. on Friday, July 31, Teton County Search & Rescue received a satellite SOS activation originating from the Box Creek trail northwest of Turpin Meadows in the Teton Wilderness. The message did not include any details, leading TCSAR to investigate whether it was a false activation, possible bear encounter, or other emergency. 

If you are in need of or expecting helicopter assistance, please help our team by making yourself visible. Photo: Teton County Search & Rescue during a training exercise.

After communicating with Garmin, through which the SOS message was transmitted, the team was able to get in touch directly with the reporting party. In the process, TCSAR discovered that a 23-year-old male was in distress due to a medical issue. He had been backpacking with a group of friends when the emergency occurred.

In response, TCSAR dispatched a short-haul helicopter team to the scene, with a ground team in vehicles as backup. While flying over the location, the helicopter team needed several flight overs before eventually spotting the reporting party beneath some trees. The ship landed and volunteers met the patient before helping him into the ship for a flight back to TCSAR headquarters. The team then transferred the patient to a waiting ambulance from Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.

This incident brings to light a few friendly reminders that can help our team:

If you are in need of help and are expecting a helicopter, please make yourself visible. Wear bright colors and wave your arms when you see the ship approaching (but do not approach the ship as it is landing). Do not ever wave at a helicopter if you don’t need help. Lastly, all rescue services provided by TCSAR are free of charge. 

Our team was happy to be able to assist this individual.

TCSAR Picks Up Distressed Backpackers from Teton Crest Trail

Just before 1 p.m. on Monday, May 25, Teton County Search & Rescue received an emergency alert for two backpackers in distress on the Teton Crest Trail. Two males, ages 20 and 22, in a group of four from out of state were reportedly vomiting and having difficulty walking through the snow. Their location placed them south of Hurricane Pass in Alaska Basin.

On May 25, Teton County Search & Rescue picked up two backpackers from the Teton Crest Trail after they were unable to continue on their own. Photo: TCSAR

A TCSAR volunteer was able to connect with the group via cell phone. The group said at that time they would try to hike out, but called back about an hour later saying that the two hikers could not continue. 

TCSAR responded with a team in the helicopter, and placed a ground team on standby in the event of inclement weather. The helicopter landed near the hikers and the team loaded them internally for the flight back to SAR HQ in Jackson. The entire mission took 4 hours, 1 minute.

This incident serves as a good reminder that the Tetons are still holding quite a bit of snow above 9,500 feet, which can make traveling on foot difficult and hazardous. Hikers should be prepared to use ice axes and crampons, and be acclimatized for high alpine adventures.