Avalanche injures skier near Wyoming's Teton Pass, climber hurt hours later

JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) conducted two backcountry rescues on Saturday, April 4, including an avalanched skier near White Hump by Philips Bench on Teton Pass and an injured climber at Hoback Shield just south of Jackson, TCSAR said in a release.

The first call came in at 12:20 p.m. for a 27-year-old woman who suffered a lower leg injury after a large slide carried her above a cliff band. Her partners found her quickly and started care before rescue crews arrived.

TCSAR sent a short-haul helicopter team and a backup ground team on snowmobiles. The helicopter team reached the skier, evaluated her and flew her out of the backcountry, where Fire/EMS helped once she was on the ground.

At 4:50 p.m., the TCSAR said a second call was received for a 55-year-old man hurt while lead climbing at Hoback Shield. According to the release, he suffered a severe cut after a rock fell.

Two volunteers responded to help with patient care and two wheeled litter teams were later stood down after crews on scene moved him to the road for self-transport to the hospital.

The two rescues are a reminder that spring trips in the Tetons can turn risky on skis, snowmobiles, bikes, boats and climbing routes, TCSAC said.