The Fine Line Podcast Presents: A Very Close Call in Phillips Canyon

Jackson, Wyo. — Season 8 of The Fine Line podcast rolls onward with a story about a mountain bike crash with potentially serious consequences on a favorite local trail. The episode dives into the effectiveness of the BackcountrySOS app, and how Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers responded with delicate treatment of potentially life-altering injuries in the field.

“A Bridge Too Far: The Phillip’s Log Strikes Again” airs today, May 23, at 2 p.m. on KHOL 89.1 FM, and afterward on your favorite podcast platform.

Thanks to Rick Gordon and Dr. Tobin Dennis for sharing their experiences so the rest of us can learn—right as mountain bike season ramps up across the Mountain West.

Produced by Backcountry Zero, Season 8 of The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with support from Arc’teryx and KHOL. Original art by Jen Reddy Ink. The Fine Line’s theme song is by Anne & Pete Sibley, with additional music produced by Ben Winship. The Fine Line is produced and hosted by Matt Hansen, with editing and sound by Melinda Binks.

Learn more about The Fine Line atBackcountryZero.com.

A Special Short Story from The Fine Line Podcast

Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is excited to release the next episode of The Fine Line podcast. "A Whistle in the Dark" takes us back to TCSAR volunteer Carol Viau's very first rescue. It was October 26, 2000, a time before cell phones were ubiquitous and when most callouts for TCSAR required good old-fashioned boots on the ground.

Carol’s story reveals how and why someone is drawn to be a first responder, how intuition and basic skills can be invaluable during a cold, dark search, and how gentle conversations with a person in need can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Original art by Jen Reddy.

"Whistle in the Dark" airs at 2 p.m. on May 9 on KHOL 89.1 FM, and afterward on your preferred podcast platform.

Produced through TCSAR Foundation's Backcountry Zero initiative, The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with additional support by Roadhouse Brewing Co. and KHOL. This episode was produced by Matt Hansen, with editing and sound by Melinda Binks. The story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy. Find all episodes at Backcountry Zero, and wherever you get your podcasts.

TCSAR Completes "Mayuary" Rescue in Cache Creek

On Friday, May 3, two men from Michigan were backpacking about fives miles up Cache Creek when they became stranded by a snowstorm. After being caught by several inches of snow, that morning they issued an emergency text message to Teton County Dispatch, which alerted TCSAR of their predicament.

The calendar says May. Old Man Winter says, “Not so fast.” Photo: TCSAR

Volunteers responded up Cache Creek with two RZR side-by-sides after obtaining permission from the U.S. Forest Service to access the area with motorized vehicles.

The volunteers located the men, who were cold but otherwise okay, and transported them out of Cache Creek to their hotel in Jackson, completing the rescue in 3 hours, 13 minutes. Our team was happy to be able to help these men get out of a cold and snowy situation.

With this incident, it’s a good opportunity to remind everyone that mountain weather can change at any time, no matter the season and especially in the spring. If you're heading out into the backcountry, always be prepared for cold weather, including rain and snowfall.