February 17, 2007

            Fremont County Search and Rescue responded to two separate searches, one involving an avalanche and the other overdue snow machines riders.

 Feb. 17, 2007            Search #1          Mt. Jefferson, Island Park

1:30 P.M. two gentlemen from Utah triggered an avalanche on Mt. Jefferson in Island Park, burying their snow machines.  The avalanche was located in the same canyon on Mt Jefferson where an avalanche claimed the life of a Utah Man January 1, 2007.  Riders on the peak of Reas Peak witnessed the avalanche, observing people digging and immediately called 911.  The reporting party was roughly 2 miles from the avalanche location and was unable to ascertain if individuals or snow machines were involved in the burial. Rescue members responded quickly knowing time is critical in an avalanche burial.  Fortunately only two snow machines were buried, and the individuals were not injured.

 

Feb. 17 & 18, 2007            Search #2         Two Top, Island Park

            Shortly after arriving home, Search and Rescue members were called out for a second time. Two riders had notified the West Yellowstone, Montana Police Department that two riders were overdue. The snow mobile riders were from Bozeman, Montana and were riding near Two Top Mountain in Island Park.  The two became separated from their party of four.  Two riders returned to West Yellowstone to report the other members of their party missing.  Before leaving the mountain, the two riders left a note in a tree written on a dollar bill with information how to return to West Yellowstone.  They also left a note in the snow with directions.  Search and rescue members were able to locate these directions.  Rescue members searched the majority of the night for the two overdue riders.  The next morning rescue members followed two sets of suspicious tracks riding into Tygee Creek Canyon.  They followed the tracks as far as they could safely by snow machine.  The decision was made to have members snowshoe from both the bottom and top of the canyon as terrain did not permit safe snow machine traveling.  As members were preparing to snowshoe, they came in contact with the overdue riders near the bottom of the canyon.  The two had been able to retrieve one snow machine and were heading back to possibly recover the second machine. The riders appeared in good condition, grateful to get out of the canyon safely.  Air Idaho was in route from Idaho Falls to assist in locating the individuals, but fortunately the individuals were found before the helicopter arrived on site.