WILSON, Wyo. — At 11:35 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, Teton County Search & Rescue (TCSAR) responded to an injured mountain biker in Black Canyon, a popular hiking and biking area near Teton Pass.
According to TCSAR, the biker, a local 27-year-old woman, was descending the trail when she clipped a tree and went over the handlebars. The crash caused injuries that prevented her from riding or walking out on her own.
TCSAR wrote via Facebook that since cell service is not available in the canyon, the woman’s companion pedaled back up the trail until she could make an emergency call, and then returned to the scene. A TCSAR volunteer who lives near Wilson responded directly and ran up the trail from the Old Pass Road trailhead. This volunteer was followed by other volunteers on foot and on bikes.
TCSAR reported that once first responders arrived on scene, the woman’s condition was assessed and she was transported out in the wheeled litter. The team transported the patient in the litter for about three miles down to the Old Pass Road, where a family member drove her to higher medical care.
TCSAR has shared a few options for contacting 911 when there is little to no cellular service:
- BackcountrySOS is a free app that connects to dispatch with minimal cell service.
- New apple iphones have satellite text-to-911 capability, as long as there’s a clear view of the sky and horizon.
- Satellite communication devices, such as the Garmin inReach, can connect to emergency services. A subscription is required.
