The Fine Line Podcast Returns for Ninth Season

Jackson, Wyo. — Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is excited to announce the upcoming release of Season 9 of The Fine Line podcast. 

“Ride the Tram, Ski the ‘Shoe” drops on Thursday, May 29. Listeners will be able to hear the show at 2 p.m. on KHOL 89.1 FM, as well as stream it on all major podcast platforms.

The episode explores a backcountry ski accident from May 18, 2024, when locals Mark Fellermann and Tanner Flanagan attempted to descend Horseshoe Couloir, a steep, north-facing line outside the boundary of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. During a mandatory rappel on their descent, Fellermann fell about 1,500 vertical feet over a cliff band and frozen snow, sustaining serious injuries.

Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Brook Yeomans, a special education teacher who has been with TCSAR since 2021, was part of the crew that was called to respond. Yeomans explains in the episode how this rescue went to the heart of why he decided to become a volunteer in the first place.

“Ride the Tram, Ski the ‘Shoe” is the first of six episodes in Season 9 and the show’s 60th episode overall. The new season includes stories about two separate climbing accidents on the Grand Teton, an all-night rescue of an injured hunter deep in grizzly country, a candid conversation about how mental health is a backcountry safety issue, and a ‘slam dunk’ snowmobile rescue that turned into an epic all-nighter for everyone involved.

After the May 29 premiere, a new episode will come out every two weeks.

Produced by TCSAR Foundation's Backcountry Zero initiative, The Fine Line uses storytelling to illustrate how accidents happen and what people can do to prevent accidents in their own adventures. Each episode brings together the perspectives from both rescuer and rescuee, and is often the first time they've met after an accident. The result is a touching, honest reflection of what happens during a backcountry emergency.

“We are so grateful for everyone who comes on The Fine Line to share their experiences so that the rest of us can learn,” says Matt Hansen, the show’s host, producer, and communications director for TCSAR Foundation. “These open and honest conversations help create awareness and empathy in our backcountry culture, and truly show that accidents can happen to anyone, no matter their experience level. We also hope to elevate listeners’ understanding of how our first responders solve complex problems to help someone who’s been lost or injured in the backcountry.”

The Fine Line features music from former longtime Jackson residents Anne and Pete Sibley, Victor, Idaho-based musician Ben Winship, and original cover art by Jen Reddy. The show’s editing and sound are by Melinda Binks.

Season 9 of The Fine Line is sponsored by Roadhouse Brewing Co. and by Arc’teryx. The show can be heard every Thursday at 2 p.m. on KHOL 89.1 FM, and downloaded for free wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about the show and find its entire archive at BackcountryZero.com.

Join us August 15 for "Lessons at 13,000 Feet: Stories from the High Alpine"

Jackson, Wyo. — On August 15, Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation, Teton Climber’s Coalition and Jenny Lake Rangers are proud to present an evening where stories of close calls, misadventures, and first-responder perspectives are being given a stage for listening and reflection. 

This free event features live storytelling at the Black Diamond store in downtown Jackson.

As we enter the prime season for high altitude adventures, ‘Lessons at 13,000 Feet: Stories from the High Alpine’ will share insights to how people survive, and respond to, backcountry accidents above the treeline.

Storytellers include local climbers Lars Schou and Hadden Goodman, along with Jenny Lake Climbing Rangers Zack Little and Ken Kries, and TCSAR volunteer Jen Reddy. Each speaker will go into detail about how an experience in the mountains influenced their relationship to risk and adventure. 

While Little and Kries will discuss their points of view from a first-responder perspective, Reddy, Schou and Goodman will discuss incidents involving serious injuries: what happened, how they each responded to the trauma, and how it may have changed their relationship to risk and mountain adventures. 

Incidents like this are not uncommon in the Tetons, but getting to understand the decisions that contributed to them, and the reflections they’ve catalyzed, is an experience few get to have.

Doors open at 6 p.m., stories begin at 6:30 p.m. Roadhouse Beer and Yeah Buddy pizza provided. Register HERE to let us know you’re coming and be entered into a raffle!

Classic Rock: the Exciting Season Finale The Fine Line

In the next episode of The Fine Line podcast, we close out Season 7 with a wild story from August 22, 2022. The conversation goes deep into how a highly experienced mountain biker got a little too close to that big rock on Ferrin’s—yes, that rock—and how her companion and Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers helped her get home during a torrential rainstorm.

Listen today at 2 p.m. on KHOL 89.1 FM, and afterward wherever you get your podcasts.

As this is the final episode of Season 7, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has come on this podcast to share their stories of resilience and survival, and to our generous sponsors Roadhouse Brewing Co., and Stio.

Special thanks to the musical artists Anne & Pete Sibley and Ben Winship for providing such beautiful sounds to accompany these stories, and to Melinda Binks for her masterful editing and partnership in producing this podcast with Matt Hansen. Caryn Flanagan is our smooth voice for sponsor readings.

And of course, to all the TCSAR volunteers who give so much of themselves to our community to bring people home after an accident in the backcountry. We are all indebted to your service.