GTNP Rangers responded to two climbing accidents in the park this weekend. GTNP photo.
Despite hot temperatures in the valley, large amounts of snow remain at high elevations in Grand Teton National Park, making access to popular climbing routes challenging. This weekend, GTNP Rangers responded to two incidents requiring a helicopter rescue in the Park.
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The first involved a 17-year-old female climber from Texas on the Middle Teton, who fell while descending the Southwest Couloir, slipping on ice and snow and sustaining a leg injury. Rangers responded from both Lupine Meadows and the Lower Saddle to access the injured climber. By the time she was reached, light was fading, so she was prepped to spend the night on the mountain as it was too windy for a helicopter evacuation.
Another helicopter evacuation was attempted in the morning, but was again thwarted due to high winds. The climber was lowered to Garnet Meadows where she was picked up by helicopter later in the day and flown to a local hospital.
A few hours later, a climber was struck by falling rock near the mouth of Death Canyon. The 22-year-old was approaching a climb near the mouth of Son of Apocalypse Couloir when he was hit by a large rock, causing multiple injuries. A short-haul helicopter rescue was successful in bringing the climber to a waiting ambulance, which then transferred to a local hospital.
GTNP reminds any visitors of the potential dangers of current conditions:
Conditions at elevations above 9,000 feet in the Teton Range are still snow-covered. Hikers and climbers in these areas should carry both an ice axe and crampons and know how to use them or adjust the route. Please visit the Jenny Lake Ranger Station before backcountry trips for the most current route conditions.
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stash member Max Ritter
I manage digital content here at TGR, run our gear testing program, and am stoked to be living the dream in the Tetons.