KETCHUM, Idaho — Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) shared that it was mobilized on Saturday, Aug. 24, to assist in the rescue of an injured hiker in Idaho’s Pioneer Mountains, east of Ketchum.
A man had fallen and seriously injured his leg while attempting a hike on Hyndman Peak, which tops 12,000 feet. He landed in “extremely rugged terrain,” according to TCSAR. After Ketchum Fire and Sun Valley Fire departments unsuccessfully attempted a helicopter rescue from the peak of the mountain, TCSAR was called upon due to its short-haul capabilities. Short-hauling involves a helicopter suspending a person from a 150 to 250-foot rope. This technique is often used where conditions are too steep or rocky for a safe helicopter landing.
“As the team considered the request on Saturday, they looked at several factors, including: flight distance to the subject, weather, weight of the ship and crew, fuel capacity and the safety of the rescue team,” TCSAR posted to Facebook. “They also checked in with their federal partners to make sure there was a backup plan while the ship was out of county.”
TCSAR’s helicopter took off with a pilot and two TCSAR volunteers, and flew directly to the patient, which took an hour and 20 minutes. The patient was successfully short-hauled to an ambulance at a nearby trailhead. After handing over the hiker, the TCSAR ship stopped by a local airport to refuel and return to Jackson. All told, the mission was completed in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
The agency notes that it’s not unusual to participate in recuse efforts outside of Teton County. This incident was TCSAR’s fifth out-of-county call of the year thus far. Last year, the team assisted with nine missions outside of the county.
