Teton County skiers and snowboarders were the most rescued recreators from December until May this year, according to Teton County Search and Rescue’s mid-year report.
That’s nothing new. That’s been the case each year TSCAR has released its winter report.
But Matt Hansen, who works for the group, pointed out 18 of those rescued accessed the backcountry via Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort, that’s up four from last year.
“That’s somebody who is taking a chair lift and then leaving a resort boundary gate into the backcountry,” Hansen said, “ so that’s still quite a high number.”
Hansen said the second most-rescued group was snowmobilers. Of the 17 rescues, five took place overnight. In those rescues, groups were heading out later in the afternoon and further into the backcountry when weather worsened, often covering their tracks.
The organization’s $7 million helicopter doesn’t fly after dark, so it couldn’t be used, and they had to be accessed on foot.
“It was just a combination of conditions deteriorating and then people not able to manage the changing weather or their snow machine,” Hansen said.
Nearby Idaho and Wyoming residents TCSAR considers “local,” were the most rescued this winter. He said there’s a “misconception” that most rescues are for tourists unfamiliar with the terrain.
“I think all Jackson residents and regional residents should recognize that just because you’ve lived here a long time doesn’t make you immune to having an accident in the backcountry,” Hansen said.
Togwotee Pass and the JHMR backcountry were the most frequented areas for rescue volunteers this winter.
Collectively, volunteers spent nearly 4,600 hours on rescues this winter. They’ve responded to 62 calls, which is on par with the ten-year average through the first half of the year.
“These are people with families with jobs, and they’re finding time out of their busy schedules to give back. And I think it’s very admirable,” Hansen said.
