At 1:13 p.m. on Monday, January 26, Teton County Search & Rescue received a page from dispatch regarding a snowmobile accident in the Togwotee Pass area. The page concerned two patients, a male and a female, who had been riding tandem on the L trail when they went off trail and collided with a tree. The two riders had been in a small guided group when the accident occurred.

From Togwotee Mountain Lodge, the L Trail parallels the highway for a few miles before turning north toward Turpin Meadows. Photo: TCSAR

The female patient was reported to be unresponsive and breathing. The male patient was reported to be responsive with significant injuries. Two Teton County Sheriff Deputies were already in the area and they responded via snowmobile from Togwotee Mountain Lodge. A third deputy established a landing zone in a pullout on the highway for aerial support. Deputies arrived on scene at 2 p.m.

TCSAR responded with a helicopter and ground teams. The team also requested support from two ambulances and a helicopter from Air Idaho. Around this time, the male patient went into cardiac arrest. We are saddened to report that this patient did not survive his injuries.

With deputies and TCSAR personnel on site, the team short-hauled the female patient to the LZ on the highway. The patient was transferred to Air Idaho, which transported her to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

All of us at TCSAR offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected by this tragedy. We want to take this time to also express our gratitude to the numerous volunteers, sheriff deputies, and partnering agencies that helped with this mission.

This has been a challenging winter so far for our mountain community. TCSAR has responded to four fatalities, with two coming in the last three days. We know that accidents happen and that we all make mistakes. This message is not intended to shame or judge anyone. Just please remember that when you take on a backcountry objective—no matter how big or small—the most important thing is to make sure you come home at the end of the day. Be safe out there, everyone.