Fremont Rescue

Jan. 2009 Searches

Jan. 3, 2009                                                             Dry Canyon

Shortly after 6:00 P.M. Fremont County Search & Rescue was notified about a 20 year old snowmobile rider from North Dakota stranded in the bottom of Dry Canyon. This treacherous canyon is located near Rea’s Peak and Mount Jefferson in Island Park on the Idaho and Montana border, access available only through Idaho.

Present avalanche conditions being what they are was a huge concern to unit members responding to this site. 20 FCS&R members were involved in the rescue/search in -40 degree mountain top temperatures. The unit was able to send and receive several phone text messages before the victim’s phone battery went dead. Information and questions sent by a volunteer assisting the unit was 1.Send your location if you have a GPS unit 2. How far you are from your snowmobile? He sent the information via texting stating he was ¼ mile from his snowmobile. The unit then recommended 3. Ask the victim to return to his snowmobile 4. Use the snowmobile to assist in starting a fire 5. Directions for starting a fire were also sent. We received no further information from the victim. 

Access to this unforgiving area after unit members have meandered through thick terrain as far as they can safely go by snow machine is only by snowshoes, battling thick forests, steep slopes, and temperatures reaching minus 40 degrees.   Search team #1 was sent in on snowshoes to the coordinates the victim had sent after traveling as far as they could on snowmobiles. Search team #2 was sent to the top of Rea’s Peak and on to Horsemint Springs to attempt reaching the victim from the top of the canyon.  The second team saw a tail light from the victim’s snowmobile come on. A compass heading was plotted.

Air Idaho from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center was called and asked to assist due to the cold temperatures.  While Air Idaho was flying to the base camp, a bag of equipment (fire starter, matches, hand and body warmers, water, gloves,  flairs, a pre set  unit radio, and 3 flashlights that were strapped to the outside of the bag and turned on) was assembled for Air Idaho to drop to the victim. 

After reviewing all the information we had received, Air Idaho was briefed at the base camp and was sent to the join in on the search. The bag was sent with Air Idaho to drop if they found the victim. When the helicopter started to get close, the victim turned his snowmobile back on, and Air Idaho was able to drop the bag.  We then realized that the coordinates we had received from the victim were wrong the new location was over 1 mile away.  Search team #2 was very close to the victim  With the direction of the unit commander using navigational software and GPS readings, unit members were able to carefully get as close to him as possible before climbing on their snowshoes for the trek down into the canyon, carrying whatever additional supplies might be needed.  Unit members were able to positively locate the gentleman after he set off a provided flair and using the radio making contact with him shortly after midnight.  After determining he was fit for the hike out, they warmed his feet, gave him something to eat, and equipped him with snowshoes for the climb to a warm fire where additional unit members were waiting with snowmobiles to take him to safety.  Unit members finally returned home about 3:30 A.M. Sunday morning.

This rescue was very involved with rescue members using many different skills and resources. Fremont county Search and Rescue wishes to thank Eastern Idaho Regional for the use of the Helicopter and flight crew.

Mountain top temperatures -40

Blue Creek parking lot temperatures -28

Return drive home a low temperature of -35

January 16, 2009 (two simultaneous searches)

# 1                                                     Tygee Creek

Early afternoon 16 Fremont County Search and Rescue members headed to Island Park to assist an individual stranded on his snowmobile in Tygee Creek near Two Top Mountain.  Terrain in this region is heavily treed with numerous canyons and ravines all the way through the mountain making snowmobile travel difficult.  The eager gentleman traversed down Tygee Canyon leaving his buddies at the top.  His snowmobile ended up in the creek, and soon aware that he was not able to climb back up the canyon, he called 911.   His buddies were able to lead rescue members into where they had last seen their friend.  Rescue commander, Brett Mackert, was able to maintain phone communication with the individual during the rescue until his phone went dead.  The unit used the siren on their Command Center to establish how far he might be, hoping he would be able to hear it.  Fortunately he heard the siren which enabled a speedier rescue. With the use of snowshoes, members hiked to the gentleman from above and below the drainage to reach him and assisted the gentleman to safety.

# 2                                                          Harriman State Park

Before all rescue members had arrived at the staging area for the stranded gentleman in Tygee Creek, they received another call about a skier not sure of her location in Harriman State Park.  The commander sent four members to help assist the lady who was skiing on the north end of Harriman State Park, and she was quickly found and brought to safety.  She is a newcomer to this area.

These four rescue members then headed north to assist with the rescue in Tygee Creek

January 17, 2009                                  Mt. Jefferson

22 Fremont County Search and Rescue members swiftly headed to Island Park after receiving information of an individual possibly buried in an avalanche on the Montana side of Mt. Jefferson.  Rescue members headed for the Willow Creek Trail head, the quickest way to access that particular area.  The avalanche area is located in Beaverhead County, Montana, and communication with their county was essential with their officials offering any needed assistance.  Access to this area is only through Idaho.

Before FCS&R members arrived at the avalanche area, rescue members received unconfirmed information the individual was freed and required medical assistance.  Air Idaho Rescue from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center responded to a clearing near the avalanche sight to transport the injured patient.   Rescue members cautiously continued to the Hell Roarin’ drainage area to make certain everyone was safe and accounted for. Upon their arrival at the avalanche scene, rescue members were saddened that CPR had been administered, and everyone’s efforts ended with retrieval rather than a rescue. 

The avalanche location is in Montana, and because the death did not occur in Idaho, Beaverhead County granted verbal permission for Air Idaho to transport directly to Idaho Falls rather than to Montana since taking the individual into Idaho Falls would simplify the situation for everyone. 

This avalanche site that so quickly ended a young man’s life is less than 100 feet from where another individual from Utah lost his life January 1, 2007.

January 31, 2009                                       Sand Creek

Early afternoon 20 Fremont County Search and Rescue responded to a snowmobiler from Victor, ID who had become separated from his party. He assumed he was somewhere East of the Sand Creek Road in the Sand Creek area NE of St Anthony.  Search members ultimately located the chilled individual about 6 hours later 2 miles west of the Sand Creek Road.  Originally the gentleman rode east of the Sand Creek Road, turned back to the west, crossed the road, and rode 2 miles farther West where he became stuck and uncertain of his location, still thinking he was East. He was reunited with his party who had by chance connected with some FCSR members.