TCSAR’s helicopter has been used more this winter than ever before. This photo, by volunteer Keegan Pfeil, was taken during a short-haul training session in the Tetons in January 2021.

Nearly everyday for two weeks straight in February, TCSAR was getting calls from people who needed help in the backcountry. That 14-day stretch included a nine-hour mission to rescue two stuck snowmobilers in the middle of the night; three avalanche deaths; two callouts to help snowmobilers with life-threatening injuries; and a helicopter assist in Park County, Wyo., to rescue eight stranded snowmobilers on Beartooth Pass. That was the second heli assist in Park County this winter, with the helicopter also responding to incidents in neighboring Lincoln and Fremont counties.

By the Numbers:

28: times the team was called all last winter.

38: times the team has been called just since January 1.

4: number of helicopter missions last winter.

15: number of helicopter missions this winter.

This all occurred, of course, while the pandemic continued to prevent the team from doing full group trainings. That the volunteers responded with such professionalism demonstrates each team member's commitment and resolve to help those in need.

With the team now fully vaccinated, members have gone back to team training, a full year after such meetings were postponed or outright canceled. The simple act of getting together for a team dinner on March 10 offered a time for reflection, appreciation and gratitude.

Due to the pandemic, a full year went by before TCSAR was able to get together for a full team group training, at Snow King on March 13. Photo: Will Smith/TCSAR