Jackson, Wyo. — Teton County Search & Rescue responded to four calls in two days last week.
The first two rescues involved two backpackers from the same party, but at different times, on the Teton Crest Trail. Both men, in their 60s, were backpacking as part of a group.
TCSAR volunteers treat an injured paraglider near the summit of Mount Glory on September 12. It was one of three rescues that day. Photo: Teton County Search & Rescue
One man reported a calf injury, which resulted in TCSAR flying the helicopter to pick him up on the Fox Creek trail on Friday morning. Roughly 12 hours later, the same group called to say that another member of their party was in distress due to a previous medical issue. Due to the late hour, TCSAR informed the party that they would have to wait until the following morning for a response.
At first light on Saturday, Sept. 12, the pilot and two volunteers departed SAR HQ and found a spot to land near the patient. They loaded him internally for a flight back to Jackson, where a friend was waiting to pick him up.
TCSAR welcomes the opportunity to respond to emergencies, and stresses the need for people to be prepared before tackling multi-day adventures in the backcountry. Time of day, weather conditions, and mechanical issues may also affect how and when the team is able to respond. This isn't intended to shame or judge anyone—rather, it's meant to underscore the critical need for preparedness and to be self-aware of any personal limitations.
Photo: Teton County Search & Rescue
Shortly after that rescue wrapped up, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, TCSAR was called to respond to a paraglider who had crashed near the summit of Mount Glory. The patient, a 37-year-old male from Telluride, had suffered trauma to his lower legs.
TCSAR assembled a helicopter short-haul team, and the pilot found a landing zone near the patient. The volunteers disentangled the patient from his wing and loaded him into the helicopter for a short flight to a waiting ambulance near the summit of Teton Pass.
In the day's third rescue, a hunter required TCSAR assistance after slashing his leg while field dressing an elk in a remote section of the Teton Wilderness. The hunter, a 26-year-old local resident, had tried to self-rescue by riding his horse several miles after sustaining the injury. Eventually, the pain became too much and he called for help using a Garmin satellite device.
TCSAR responded with a helicopter team consisting of the pilot and three volunteers. The team located the patient and landed nearby. They loaded him into the ship and flew him to SAR HQ, where he was transferred to an ambulance with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.