JACKSON, Wyo. — 10 new avalanche beacon check stations have been installed at popular trailheads around Teton County due to to a partnership between Advocates for Multi-Use of Public Lands (AMPL) and Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation (TCSARF).
According to the TCSAR Foundation, the new stations are located at Coal Creek, Phillips Bench, Mosquito Creek, North Fork Fall Creek, Dog Creek/Pritchard, Cliff Creek and Brush Creek (Toppings Lake), with another three going up on Togwotee Pass, including at the top of Togwotee, Breccia Cliffs access and Angle Mountain access. Several of these new stations provide safety messaging and infrastructure to areas frequented by snowmobilers, skiers and other recreationists.
The installation process started two years ago when AMPL raised the funds to purchase five beacon checker stations. The TCSAR Foundation then raised funds through its Backcountry Zero initiative, as well as money for additional stations from the Stephen P. Adamson, Jr., Memorial Fund.
“AMPL’s goal of installing beacon checkers was to promote safe, responsible recreation by bringing avalanche awareness to popular trailheads around the county,” Will Mook, executive director of AMPL said. “Beacon checkers serve as a great reminder that the terrain accessible from these trailheads can be consequential avalanche terrain, and users should be prepared before leaving the parking lot. If these signs save just one life, they will have been worth the investment.”
Each station includes a QR code that can take recreationalists directly to the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center website, which includes the current forecast, a checklist for proper safety equipment and prompts to consider the consequences of your decisions.
The avalanche danger in the Teton forecast area is currently rated high at the upper elevations, considerable at the mid-elevations and moderate below 7,500 feet.
