Hikers stuck above snow, stung by bear spray, hit in the head by rocks. Families stranded on rafts in the Snake River. Crashed bikers.
An end-of-year report shows Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSA received more than 150 calls for service in the last year, up from 130 the year before.
“That’s the most this team has ever had,” said Matt Hansen, TCSAR Foundation communications director.
Heli-assists to help the Jenny Lake Rangers, the professional crew leading rescues inside Grand Teton National Park, account for 29 of those calls.
Hikers continue to top the call list, followed by a steady rise from skiers, snwboarders and snowmobilers. Calls from hunters are on the decline from years past.
Part of the rise in volume comes from the $7.25 million helicopter acquired in 2023, which responds around the region.
“Not every call ends up being a full-team call-out, but it does mean that somebody has to answer the phone and figure out the logistics,” Hansen said.
TCSAR also saw a bump in out-of-county calls, with requests to help search for missing climbers in the Wind River Range and Big Horn Mountains.
The busiest call months continue to be July, August and February.
With the new helicopter and more calls, the team is also growing.
From a pool of 180 candidates,TCSAR ushered in a new class of volunteers, expanding its team by 10 to a total of 46 volunteers.
It also welcomed a new chief advisor. Longtime volunteer Anthony Stevens recently replaced Cody Lockhart, who stepped down after eight years at the helm of the mostly volunteer team.
