TCSAR Rescue Reports

Published on a biannual basis, Rescue Reports are intended to keep track of everything the TCSAR volunteers have accomplished over the previous six months. This includes call-outs, missions, trainings, and community events—a synopsis of their commitment to saving lives and creating a positive influence in Jackson Hole. The reports also detail projects, community outreach and education goals set forth by the TCSAR Foundation to support the volunteers and increase backcountry safety awareness.

Ultimately, the reports are designed to be informational as well as educational, sharing "lessons learned" to help others prepare for their adventures in the Jackson Hole backcountry. Rescue Reports are free, available in print or digital form. If you’d like a print copy for your business or home, please send a request to info@tetoncountysar.org.

In the first half of 2026, Teton County Search & Rescue responded to fewer backcountry emergencies than the previous three winters, but also confronted several challenging rescue scenarios that demonstrated the volunteers’ commitment to training, professionalism and teamwork.

From December 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, TCSAR received 45 calls for service. Over the same time period last year the team had 62 calls. Snowmobilers made the most rescue calls this winter with 19. Four of these snowmobile accidents tragically ended with fatalities.

Conversely, there were relatively few ski– and snowboard-related rescues. Three calls came from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort backcountry, zero from the Grand Targhee backcountry, and eight on Teton Pass, which included one fatality. Local rescuers received zero ski-related calls for the entire winter in Grand Teton National Park. The one call that came from the park was for an injured climber on the Middle Teton, a rescue handled by the Jenny Lake Rangers with an assist from the TCSAR’s aviation team.

“These past six months have been a busy and productive time for our team,” Anthony Stevens, TCSAR Chief Advisor and volunteer since 2015, writes in the report’s opening letter. “We have continued to strengthen our operational readiness through training, collaboration, and experience in the field. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting partner agencies, or assisting members of our community during difficult moments, our personnel have consistently demonstrated the values that define this organization: commitment, teamwork, and service above self.”

The report also announces a new logo for Backcountry Zero, the preventative search and rescue programming from the TCSAR Foundation. Backcountry Zero was launched in 2015 to help the local community prioritize backcountry safety and preparedness. The new logo makes it more recognizable as a key initiative of TCSAR. Through accessible and effective education and outreach, the Backcountry Zero program strives to create a positive shift in backcountry culture while reducing SAR-related incidents.