Just before 1 p.m. on Friday, April 12, Teton County Search & Rescue, Wyoming, received a call regarding an injured snowboarder on No Name Peak. For the second time in the last 10 days, volunteers were called to this backcountry zone, typically accessed from the boundary gates at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
The snowboarder, a local male, had been severely injured after striking rocks while descending the peak. TCSAR volunteers were able to communicate directly with the patient over the phone and informed him the team would be arriving by helicopter.
Within 25 minutes of receiving the initial rescue call, the TCSAR helicopter lifted off with two volunteers and a pilot on board. They could easily see the patient from the air as they approached No Name and landed within 50 feet of his location. Jackson Hole Ski Patrollers, en route from the top of the aerial tram, arrived on the scene simultaneously.
After assessing the man’s injuries and treating him, the team loaded him internally into the helicopter for transport. The team then flew the patient to the TCSAR hangar, transferring him to a waiting ambulance with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.
The entire mission was completed in 58 minutes.
TCSAR appreciates the partnerships allowing volunteers to transport injured patients from the backcountry to higher medical care.
TCSAR would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to dial 911 in case of a backcountry emergency. If you have cellular service, that is the quickest and most efficient way to start a rescue.
