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.

Old Bill's Giving Season: 30 years of Being Rescue Ready

With Old Bill’s Giving Season on us, it's important to reflect on the values that have been baked into 30 years of Teton County Search & Rescue. A particularly important one is doing whatever it takes to help someone get out of the backcountry alive. Back in the early days of TCSAR, volunteers often used whatever tools they had available—including their own snowmobiles. 

"I was the motorhead of the team, so I was more into using the snowmachine," says John Davidson, a TCSAR volunteer for 16 years, starting with the team in 1995. "We could pack some gear in, tow a toboggan behind us, and then tow you out to an ambulance."

"It was pretty common for the team to use snowmobiles for rescues back then," he says. "We didn’t always have access to a helicopter, and the weather wasn't always good. When we could get a helicopter, it was a race to see if we could get there before they could."

John Davidson responds to a backcountry emergency in the mid 1990s. Photo: TCSAR Archive

Being well-versed in snowmachines remains critically important for TCSAR. Fast forward three decades to the winter of 2022-23, and the team responded to 18 rescue calls for lost or injured snowmobilers.

Here are a couple of things to remember about donating to TCSAR during Old Bill's:

• TCSAR volunteers respond to more than 100 calls every year, with 120-plus coming in the last two consecutive years.
  

• In order to stay Rescue Ready, TCSAR volunteers need your support to conduct all kinds of different training and rescue scenarios, like snowmobile training and avalanche rescue training. That hasn't changed since John Davidson helped train up less experienced riders three decades ago.
  

• We all stand on the very strong and capable shoulders of those who came before us. 

Thank you for supporting TCSAR—then and now.

The Fine Line podcast goes Straight to the Heart

Shortness of breath, fatigue, and feeling like you can’t take another step are as common in the mountains as blisters, mosquito bites, and chapped lips. 

But on March 29, 2023, skier Dave Brown felt a sudden onset of extreme fatigue that was entirely new to him, and terribly serious. At 67 years old, the former ski patroller had never had any previous medical issues. But during a backcountry ski tour up Mail Cabin on the west side of Teton Pass, he knew he needed to get help–and get it fast. In this episode of The Fine Line, we’ll hear how Brown and his ski partner made a critical decision that helped save his life. And Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Keegan Pfeil explains how the team responded to the emergency in a deep timbered ravine where simply locating their patient was a challenge.

TCSAR volunteer Keegan Pfeil (left) with Dave Brown. Photo: Matt Hansen/TCSAR Foundation

The Fine Line is produced by Backcountry Zero and sponsored by Stio and Roadhouse Brewing Co.

Listen to The Fine Line wherever you get your podcasts.