On Wednesday around 3pm, Fremont County Search & Rescue unit responded to a report of a 69 year old overdue hunter in the Rock Creek area. Horses, ATV’s, Hikers, and 4 wheel drives were utilized in locating the individual. He had been walking since 8am, in a Westerly direction when he found a road, he then walked down the road until he caught a ride that dropped him off at his vehicle around 5:20pm. One of the S&R members stopped to talk with him and he said “I hope you have a radio, I am the one you guys are looking for.” Other than being tired from the days hike he was in good spirits and good condition.

 

 

September, 16, 2010

 

A 45 year old man from Austin, Texas narrowly escaped serious injury when he slipped and fell climbing downhill into the bottom of Lower Mesa Falls on Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, a trail he had previously navigated. 13 Fremont County Search and Rescue Members and 2 Junior Members responded to help the man to safety. This trail to the bottom of Snake River Canyon is extremely steep and treacherous, one of the steepest into that part of the canyon with a 900-1000 foot vertical elevation into the bottom; distance approximately ¾ mile. Rescue members hiked into the deep canyon with ropes, harnesses, and other climbing gear securing their positions and safety. Once reaching the injured individual, members began their rescue efforts after first strapping the gentleman onto a stokes litter.  They carried him approximately 45 yards, and then attached him to a high line and a tow line pulling him part way up the canyon.  Unit Members then secured the litter to a wheeled cart.  Using a lot of manpower, Unit Members were able to pull the man up the canyon to safety continuing to use their tow line, carefully winching the wheeled cart up the dangerous canyon wall. Fortunately, the gentleman may only have a broken ankle.