TCSAR Picks Up Two Rescues On April 18-19

Jackson, Wyo. — Teton County Search & Rescue responded to two emergency calls over the weekend, showing again the range of skills our volunteers deploy during this seasonal transition.

At 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, a local male snowboarder suffered a severe leg injury while descending a line on the Great White Hump, located north of Teton Pass. It was the second time this month that a skier or snowboarder had been injured after getting caught in an avalanche in this same zone.

In response, TCSAR assembled a short-haul team in the helicopter. The team made contact with the patient about 54 minutes after the initial 911 call. Our team credits the patient’s group for providing interim care before the volunteers were on scene. That care included: Keeping the patient warm with extra clothes and a space blanket; securing the patient in a safe location; cutting out a flat platform to help the responding volunteers load/secure/treat/extract the patient during a heli operation.

TCSAR then short-hauled the patient to a waiting ambulance on Teton Pass, completing the mission in 2 hours, 36 minutes.

The Great White Hump has been the location of two short-haul rescues in April 2026, both involving avalanches. Photo: TCSAR

This incident is another reminder for skiers and snowboarders to be extra cautious during this transitional period in the Tetons, when snow conditions may change rapidly from hour to hour, day to day.

The second rescue call of the weekend came at 4:53 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. This incident concerned two hikers who had been attempting to walk from Cache Creek to the Game Creek Divide and then return via the Skyline trail.

After ascending the Game Creek Divide, the party called 911 to say they were too exhausted to continue. The hikers were advised to begin walking back to the Cache/Game junction where a team of volunteers would meet them.

Two TCSAR volunteers dispatched in a side-by-side vehicle up Cache. When they could not locate the party at the Cache/Game junction, the volunteers hiked about 1.5 miles up the trail, where they found the tired hikers. The volunteers gave them food and water and assisted them back down the trail to the vehicle. From there, the team transported them to their vehicle at the Cache Creek trailhead.

TCSAR Foundation Seeks Development Administrator

Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is seeking to hire a Development Administrator to join our dynamic, hard-working team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for TCSAR Foundation’s mission of supporting TCSAR volunteers and help strengthen the Foundation’s fundraising program. 

Position Summary

The Development Administrator serves as the operational backbone of TCSAR Foundation’s fundraising program.

This role manages all fundraising administrations, including:

• Donor data entry, integrity and tracking

• Gift acknowledgements

• Donor communications logistics

• Event coordination and execution

• Administrative duties as assigned

The Development Administrator supports the Executive Director in leading major donor strategy and solicitations while independently managing fundraising systems and donor experiences. This is an ideal role for someone who thrives on organization, detail, hospitality, and bringing complex events to life behind the scenes.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Administration (Core Function)

• Manage donor database (gift entry, pledges, reporting, tracking)

• Generate and send timely acknowledgement letters

• Track restricted gifts and donor intent

• Manage donor recognition lists and annual reporting data

• Coordinate donor mailings and campaigns

• Oversee donor gift inventory and fulfillment (apparel, event gifts, etc.)

• Maintain accurate donor records and confidentiality

• Prepare reports for Executive Director and Board

• Work with Operations Manager on 990 donor tracking

• Check processing and bank deposits

Event Management & Donor Experience 

• Lead planning and execution of key fundraising and donor events, including Old Bill’s Fun Run, major donor appreciation events, and donor cultivation experiences (e.g., backcountry ski days, SAR field experiences, educational outings)

• Coordinate venues, vendors, guest lists, and RSVPs

• Develop and manage event run-of-show logistics

• Oversee staff and volunteer coordination during events

• Track event budgets and expenses

• Manage post-event follow-up and stewardship

• Support additional community outreach events as needed

Executive Support in Development

• Prepare donor briefing documents

• Track donor cultivation plans

• Support major gift follow-up

• Assist with board Development Committee materials and attend meeting as necessary

Team Culture Expectations

• Highly collaborative

• Proactive communicator

• Team player, willing to jump in wherever and whenever needed regardless of job description

• Comfortable in a small, fast-moving nonprofit

• Solutions-oriented

• Strong personal accountability

We are a small team of six. Everyone carries weight. Everyone supports each other. This is not a remote position. The Foundation’s office is located in the TCSAR hangar.

Qualifications

Preferred:

• 1–3 years experience in nonprofit development, administration, and/or event management

• Strong database management skills (CRM experience required; Kindful or similar preferred)

• Exceptional organizational skills

• High attention to detail

• Strong written communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Comfortable working occasional evenings and weekends for events

• Alignment with rescue and community mission

Bonus:

• Experience with fundraising campaigns

• Event production background

• Knowledge of the Jackson philanthropic community

Compensation

• $55,000 plus annual performance bonus up to $10,000

• 100% medical, life, and disability insurance

• Flexible PTO program

• Ski passes, wellness reimbursements, and more

How To Apply:

Sub­mit the fol­low­ing to donor-relations@tetoncountysar.org by Sun­day, April 12:

• A cov­er let­ter describing why this role and the mission of supporting Search & Rescue and Backcountry Zero appeal to you. Further, describe how your personal and professional experience make you an excellent fit for the position and our small team.  

• Your resume.

About TCSAR Foundation

Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation exists to ensure that one of the nation’s most respected volunteer search and rescue teams has the resources needed to save lives in some of the most rugged terrain in North America. Based in Jackson, Wyo., the Foundation raises private support to fund critical equipment, advanced training, and mission readiness for Teton County Search & Rescue, which responds to emergencies throughout Teton County. Through strong relationships with donors, community partners, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Foundation also advances backcountry safety through its Backcountry Zero initiative. Our small, collaborative team is driven by a shared belief that preparation, partnership, and community support make lifesaving rescue possible when it matters most.

Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is an equal oppor­tu­ni­ty employ­er. We encour­age appli­ca­tions from indi­vid­u­als of any race, reli­gion, col­or, nation­al ori­gin, sex, gen­der iden­ti­ty, gen­der expres­sion, dis­abil­i­ty, age, vet­er­an sta­tus, and/​or any oth­er legal­ly pro­tect­ed group.

Applications will be reviewed beginning April 15. Please do not contact the office for any follow-up until after this time. 

Boots (and Skis) on the Ground: TCSAR Rescues Injured Skier from Taylor Mountain

Jackson, Wyo. — At 12:29 p.m. on Friday, March 13, Teton County Search & Rescue received an emergency alert for an injured skier on the South Ridge of Taylor Mountain. The skier, a local 28-year-old female, sustained a knee injury while skinning up from the Coal Creek drainage. Unable to ski or hike out, her partners called 911.

TCSAR dispatched three teams to approach the scene on skis and placed a helicopter team on standby. One volunteer team, consisting of three members who live on the west side of the Tetons, reached the patient first. She was about 800 feet up the mountain and roughly a mile from the Coal Creek parking lot. The volunteers evaluated the patient’s condition and made a plan to get her out of the backcountry.

The other ski teams arrived shortly afterward, and all worked together to transport the patient by rope and toboggan to the Coal Creek parking area. The effort involved 25 volunteers and took 3 hours, 31 minutes to complete.

Volunteers encountered slick conditions in their response, which served as a timely reminder that skiers heading into the backcountry should expect to find unforgiving conditions. Ski crampons and other tools that help amplify traction on snow and ice should be strongly considered as our temperatures fluctuate between the seasons.