Jan 2010

January 16, 2010

6:45 pm, 22 Fremont County Search and Rescue members headed to Island Park, near Rea’s Peak, for a snowmobile rider unable to ride his snowmobile out of Dry Canyon. The 38 year old male from Blackfoot found himself in trouble when he headed down the steep canyon walls of Dry Canyon. The farther down the canyon walls he went, the more difficult it became to ride his machine back to the top. A friend, realizing he was in trouble, left his own machine on top, and headed down the canyon on foot to assist him. A ski on the snowmobile broke, making it impossible for the two gentlemen to ride the machine. Text messaging kept the individuals in contact with family members, assisting FCS&R with rescue efforts. Initially, the two gentlemen started to walk out of the canyon, which would have been approximately 3.5 miles on foot through hip high snow and rough terrain. They eventually stopped, built a fire, and waited for voice contact from search members after hearing snowmobiles above them. Two rescue members headed down the canyon on snowshoes once voice and visual contact was made with them. They carried with them extra snowshoes to use to reach other rescue members who helped get them to safety on snowmobiles. Fortunately, weather conditions were not dangerous, they were appropriately dressed for winter conditions, and they were prepared to make a fire in case of emergency.

Fremont County Search and Rescue responded to the Island Park area to help locate a 29 year old Island Park native lost in Rock Creek Drainage. Prior to FCS&R responding to assist the family, the gentleman made cell phone contact with his family in the afternoon with information that his snow machine was stuck, and he was attempting to walk down the canyon to safety. Family members and a family friend headed to the area to help the individual, geared up with snowmobiles and snowshoes. They looked unsuccessfully for the individual, and at midnight contacted FCS&R for assistance. 16 rescue members responded and set up base west of Island Park on the Red Rock Road. They geared up with avalanche gear, snowshoes, a sled, and food, and headed to the last known contact area. The information received was that he had been walking since 4:00 p.m., and there was concern that he may possibly be wet, with temperatures plummeting below 0. Last telephone contact with the individual was at 10:45 with his family, and no contact was reestablished. Prior to FCS&R’s arrival, family members rode as far as they could on snowmobiles heading to his possible location on snowshoes. FCS&R headed to the same general area from a different direction on snowmobiles prepared to snowshoe if voice contact was made or they could no longer travel on snowmobile. Verbal contact was made with the individual, and search members headed toward him on snowshoes, reaching him and his family at 4:46 a.m. Family members had also reached his location and waited for rescue members to arrive with extra snowshoes to assist the individual to safety. Because there is no base to the snow, travel was difficult and slow. Upon their arrival, FCS&R found the individual in good health, warmed him up, and dried him out some before snowshoeing down the canyon to rescue members waiting on snowmobiles. They again warmed him up, and at 6:00 a.m., they were finally headed on snowmobile toward base camp.

A Wisconsin gentleman staying in the Island Park area was enjoying a nice afternoon snow mobile ride on top of Two Top Mountain in Island Park. After reaching the top, the gentleman misjudged an attempt to turn around to head down the mountain. His sled slid down into Jesse Creek Canyon where he hoped he might be able to ride out. Unable to do so, Fremont County Search and Rescue was called to assist him to safety. They were dispatched at 4:05 p.m. and set up base camp in the Red Rock parking lot. Unit Commander, Brett Mackert, was able to maintain contact with the gentleman with cells phones. His approximate location was determined after he called 911 with enhanced 911 features. He was able to see the lights on their mobile command center, and Unit members in the parking lot could see his snowmobile lights on the mountain, which aided their search efforts. Unit members rode as far as they could on snowmobile, and after going as far as they could on snow mobiles, some members headed toward him on snow shoes, carrying an extra pair in case they were needed for his safe trip back to where he could ride. At 7:35 p.m. contact was made with the gentleman, Unit members quickly helped him with his snowmobile, and they rode safely back to base camp. He was in good physical condition and was released to his friends once they reached camp.