Fremont Rescue

Nov. 2005 Searches

Nov.  5, 2005                                                Sheep Falls

A father reported his adult son overdue from a day of  hunting. 10 Rescue members responded and found the party within approximately 45 minutes. It was snowing heavily and the hunter had become disoriented in direction.

Nov. 20, 2005                                               Ponds Lodge, Island Park

Fremont Rescue was called out for an overdue cross-country skier

Nov. 21, 2005                                                Two Top, Island Park

16 Search and Rescue members responded to assist 2 snowmobile riders from Rigby, ID who had gotten themselves into a bad situation in Canyon Creek Canyon on Two Top Mountain in Island Park.  The two took off for an enjoyable winter ride, inadequately dressed for conditions and the time of year.  During their ventures, they encountered difficulty crossing Canyon Creek. The two found themselves wet, with one snow machine in the creek. They were approximately 2.4 miles southwest of Two Top Mountain. 

Search and rescue members were called out at 6:00 p.m. to assist them. Because of lack of snow, rugged terrain, and the individuals not knowing for sure where they were, getting help to them was difficult. Individuals were cold and wet, and temperatures at that altitude were quickly dropping below freezing.

With unfavorable conditions and the possibility of hypothermia setting in, the Search and Rescue commander requested the assistance of Air Idaho and Island Park Ambulance.

Air Idaho located the individuals’ fire using night vision goggles.  Pilots gave Search and Rescue members GPS readings where they were sited.  After plotting the stranded individuals’ position on a mapping program and using numerous GPS readings, search and rescue teams attempted to reach the individuals on snow machine. 

Individuals were cold and wet, and Air Idaho was able to drop the individuals 3 bags containing sleeping bags, coats and boots and other winter clothing close to their position.  Two rescue members and snowshoes were dropped via helicopter within ½ mile.  Rescue members needed to cross the creek and snowshoe to their location. They reached the 2 stranded individuals about 9:30 p.m.; rescuers on snow machine still unable to reach their location.

Air Idaho assisted with the rescue bringing one rescue member, one stranded individual, and equipment in each of two trips.  The four were back to base camp by 11:30, but members on snow machine were still on the mountain. 

Ambulance and Air Idaho personnel evaluated individuals; fortunately they were just cold and wet.

Situations like this one are dangerous for rescuers volunteering their time and the individuals needing to be rescued.

November 29, 2005                      Fremont County/Clark County line

14 Fremont County Search and Rescue members were called out at 8:45 p.m. to assist Jefferson County’s Search and Rescue unit rescue an Idaho Falls couple and their 2 year old twins. The party’s vehicle got stuck while elk hunting near the Fremont County/Clark County line.  At some point in their hunting expedition, they encountered a rock pile causing their vehicle to slide into a hole.  From where they were stuck, the party could make out Larson’s Dehydration Plant and sand dunes to their west.  This information facilitated rescuers in establishing their approximate location. 

Initially, Jefferson County sent out 2 department officials to locate these individuals.  Fremont County Search and Rescue was notified, and the decision was made to assist in the search as the individuals were possibly in Fremont County.  Because the search was located near Clark County, Clark County sent out their Search and Rescue team to assist.  All three counties worked well together during the rescue, coordinating the search.

The party did everything right.  After their vehicle became stuck, they called for assistance, stayed with their vehicle, and informed rescuers of landmarks they could see.  When rescuers got within range of their lights, the party flashed their lights to assist rescuers reach their location.  Even though their cell phone eventually went dead, Search and Rescue Commander, Brett Mackert, was able to narrow the party’s location. Using the unit’s mapping software, a laptop computer,  and entering original information received from party,  and guiding the rescuers to possible locations 

The party was located by Fremont County Search and Rescue, just 400 feet into Clark County.  Members helped the party free their vehicle so the party could follow rescue members out.  Everyone was home safely by 2:15 a.m. the next morning.