WYSAW Returns to Elevate Winter Backcountry Safety

Jackson, Wyo. — Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation, in partnership with the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center and Central Wyoming College, is proud to present the 8th Annual Wyoming Snow and Avalanche Workshop on October 21-22, 2022. The two-day symposium will be held at the Center for the Arts in downtown Jackson.

Regarded for always having a stellar speaker lineup, WYSAW returns to full in-person capacity at the Center and will continue to offer virtual viewing for those who can’t attend in person.

Launched by TCSAR Foundation eight years ago as part of its Backcountry Zero initiative, WYSAW addresses backcountry safety by elevating conversations about risk, decision-making, and snow as a complicated medium. Sadly, avalanche fatalities continue to be a painful feature of winter backcountry recreation. Last winter there were 17 such deaths in the U.S., with seven in the Greater Yellowstone region, including three in the Jackson Hole area.

The 2022 WYSAW schedule starts with an afternoon Pro Session on October 21. Though anyone can attend, the speakers will tailor their presentations to on-snow professionals and other advanced backcountry users. Saturday, October 22, will be an all-day General Session, applicable for anyone who enjoys getting on snow, from people who are new to winter backcountry activities to seasoned experts. A variety of speakers will touch on leading topics in the snow and avalanche world, and strike a healthy balance between snow science, decision-making, case studies on previous incidents, and backcountry ethics.

The General Session also features a live vendor fair with 20-plus brands and businesses, food and beverages from local providers, and a huge raffle in support of Teton County Search & Rescue. It is always a good time to reconnect and dust off the summer dirt as we prepare for a safe winter ahead.

The price of admission is $10 for Friday, $30 for Saturday, or $35 for both days. There is no cost to watch virtually, but you must register. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged.

For more information and to register, go to TetonCountySAR.org/wysaw.

Video: Gummy Bears...or Potato Chips?

Some decisions are really hard. Especially at the TCSAR hangar, where the team has an assortment of snacks and goodies to keep them Rescue Ready. There is also equipment for every kind of call out. But which one are you gonna use?

As we enter the final stretch of Old Bill’s Giving Season, watch this video to find out, and please consider making a donation to TCSAR Foundation through OldBills.org. We’ll make sure to keep the volunteers’ pockets full with whatever they need to be successful.

Old Bill's Highlight #4: Finding Balance

Whether it’s an all-night slog through woods to rescue a lost hiker in the rain, running a wheeled litter up a trail to a CPR in progress, or skiing through avalanche debris carrying a heavy pack and medical gear when every second counts, Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers are known for their physical feats.

But what really sets them apart are their soft skills: compassion and respect for patients and their families, applying psychological first aid in the field, and knowing how to navigate stressful situations that lead to positive outcomes.

It's this balance between the mental and physical demands of the job that helps the volunteers be Rescue Ready throughout the year. But it's not easy, and the volunteers gain strength from your generous support.

We are just three days away from Old Bill's Fun Run, and 10 days away from the close of Giving Season. Please help us get across the finish line in style!

“I want to make sure that when I’m out in the field, I’m 100 percent ready for that person, to be there for that person, and care for them.”

— Ashley Didion, TCSAR volunteer