SUBLETTE COUNTY — A female skier amid a multi-week trek across the Wind River Mountain Range became severely ill near Downs Mountain and needed to be rescued from an elevation of 13,355 feet, deep within the Bridger-Teton wilderness. The call came into Sublette County dispatch just past sunset on Monday, April 15. A Garmin spot-activated, with a man advising that his 29-year-old skiing partner was experiencing pain. 

Because all motorized vehicles are prohibited in wilderness areas, Tip Top Search and Rescue (TTSAR) first had to obtain special permission from the Bridger-Teton Pinedale Ranger District to utilize both air and ground assets to respond to what TTSAR coordinator Kenna Tanner called, “an increasingly life-threatening situation” and to “beat an incoming weather event.” 

A plan was put into place for early the next morning: Teton County Search and Rescue would provide air assistance while TTSAR volunteers responded on the ground using snowmobiles via the Upper Green River Valley.

At 7 a.m., on April 16, Teton County Search and Rescue launched its helicopter with a plan to fly straight to the skier’s camp but inclement weather and low-lying cloud coverage ultimately prohibited access by air. The helicopter returns to its hangar in Jackson to await a potential break in the weather. 

Meanwhile, TTSAR’s volunteer snowmobile team continued the long trek to the skier’s campsite deep in the wilderness. 

Hours later, as the snowmobile team neared the area, a much-needed break in the weather allowed Teton County Search and Rescue’s helicopter to launch a second time and make a successful landing near the sick skier at 10:25 a.m. on April 16. She was transported by air from the mountain to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson. The snowmobile team reached the campsite at 11:30 a.m., where they loaded up all of the skiers’ gear and brought the other skier back to Pinedale. From Pinedale, the man was able to get a ride to Jackson and reunite with his partner as she underwent necessary medical care. 

Tanner said, “This was a time-critical mission and wouldn’t have been successful without the partnership with our neighboring agencies and the knowledge and skills of our volunteer members. Many thanks to all involved in getting this female out of the mountains and to medical help.”

A total of five volunteers assisted in the field while three people operated the Incident Command Center in Sublette County. 

For more information about Tip Top Search and Rescue, volunteer opportunities or to donate, visit https://www.tiptopsar.com/