Just before 1 p.m. on Friday, April 12, Teton County Search & Rescue received a call regarding an injured snowboarder on No Name Peak. It was the second time in the last 10 days that the volunteers were called out to No Name, a large mountain prized by local skiers and snowboarders for its steep and immense northeast-facing slope. It is typically accessed from the boundary gates at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and is uncontrolled backcountry terrain.

TCSAR volunteers respond to a snowboarder who was injured riding No Name Peak on April 12, 2024. Photo: TCSAR

The snowboarder, a local male, had been severely injured after striking rocks while descending the peak. TCSAR volunteers were able to communicate directly with the patient over the phone, and informed him the team would be arriving by helicopter.

Within 25 minutes of receiving the initial rescue call, the TCSAR helicopter lifted off with two volunteers and pilot on board. As they approached No Name, they could easily see the patient from the air and landed within 50 feet of his location. Jackson Hole Ski Patrollers, en route from the top of the aerial tram, arrived on scene simultaneously.

After assessing the man’s injuries and treating him, the team loaded him internally into the helicopter for transport. The team then flew the patient to the TCSAR hangar where they transferred him to a waiting ambulance with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.

The entire mission was completed in 58 minutes. TCSAR appreciates the partnerships that allow the volunteers to bring injured patients out of the backcountry and into higher medical care.

TCSAR would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that they should dial 911 in case of a backcountry emergency. If you have cellular service, that is the quickest and most efficient way to get a rescue started.