Fremont Rescue

February 2005 Searches

February 3, 2005                Fall River Ridge 

Lost Cross-Country Skier

February 5, 2005                Ashton Reservoir

Seventeen Fremont Search & Rescue members responded to Ashton Reservoir to rescue a man attempting to retrieve his dog, that had fallen through the ice.  The man had pushed his canoe along the ice in an attempt to reach his dog.   Soft ice conditions caused the canoe to break through the ice, and subsequently, the canoe froze in the ice.  Rescue members used dry suits, life jackets and ropes to walk close enough to use throw bags and rope lines to reach the man and pull him to the shore.  The man, dog, and canoe were successfully rescued.

February 5, 2005                Lower Black Canyon Loop

Four Search & Rescue members responded to Big Springs Warming Hut to search for 2 overdue snow machine riders on the lower Black Canyon loop.  They experienced difficulty in Chick Creek, where they consequently had to abandon one snow machine.   They were able to transport themselves to the warming hut before unit members left.  Both were in good condition along with the other two in their party. At the time, the unit only had 4 available members able to respond because other members were assisting with the simultaneous rescue on Ashton Reservoir.   

February 7, 2005                 Black Canyon                      

Twelve Fremont Country Search and Rescue Members responded to Black Canyon/Thirsty Creek area, in conjunction with Island Park Ambulance, to rescue an individual with a leg injury.  The injured apparently went over a rock, falling several feet down an embankment.  Prior to rescue or ambulance personnel reaching the injured individual, he regained mobility and rode his snow mobile out a different way.  No contact was made with the injured.

February 12, 2005                Pond's Lodge area      

A woman cross-country skier was reported overdue from the Pond's Lodge area.

February 12-13, 2005             Stamp Meadow           

17 Fremont County Search and Rescue members responded to Stamp Meadow area for four overdue snow machine riders from various Montana cities.  The party of 6 departed for their ride at 10:30 A.M. and became separated around 1:00 P.M.  Search members were called out at 8:00 P.M.  Conditions on Reas Peak and Mt. Jefferson were far from favorable due to frost and freezing mist.  10:30 Sunday morning, two of the party arrived at base camp, indicating the other two overdue individuals were out of gas approximately 10 miles from base camp.  Search members hauled fuel into the party to assist them.  Because of bad weather conditions and darkness, the party of four dug a snow pit and kept a fire going all night.  All four were safely back to camp by 12:30 P.M.

Returning home from the search, with terribly slick roads on Island Park's Federal hill, our own Search & Rescue Commander, Brett Mackert, was hit by another pickup truck. The other truck, a Toyota Tacoma, lost control on the slick roads, and hit Mackert's GMC, head on, in the southbound lane. At the time, Mackert was towing the Search & Rescue trailer, which contained two snowmobiles and other rescue gear.

The driver of the other vehicle was trapped in the pickup and ambulance crews had to call for the Island Park Fire Department to help with extrication. Mackert suffered a broken hand, and his son, who was traveling with him, had minor injuries.

This is just another of the hazards that are associated with going out in inclement weather that Fremont Rescue risks each and every search they are called out on.

February 14-15, 2005                    Taylor Creek

16 Fremont County Search & Rescue members responded and assisted with a search for 5 Minnesota men snow machining in Taylor Creek, Willow Creek, and Keg Springs area.  Rescue members battled cold weather for 11 hours, with temperatures dropping to -25 degrees.  The men were reported missing by a 6^th party member who returned early.  The party became disoriented in the Taylor Creek – Meyers Creek area, spending a chilly night in the mountains.  Around 8:30 A.M. the party rode into base camp.

February 16, 2005                          Upper Snow Creek