Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) had what could be its busiest season ever between Dec. 1, 2024, and May 31, logging 64 calls for service.
Biannual reports show that the previous reporting period was also brisk, with 57 calls logged from June 1 to Nov. 30, 2024.
Prior to that, TCSAR received 46 calls for service from Dec. 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
TCSAR’s call numbers jumped in 2021, and have stayed relatively high since, the organization reports. The 64 calls logged in the most recent report tops what TCSAR used to see during an entire year.
This past winter was one of the busiest ever, TCSAR Chief Advisor Cody Lockhart told Cowboy State Daily.
“I think our winter season was not the record, but it was right up there, toward the top,” he said.
Why The Jump In Numbers?
The reason for the uptick in calls could be straightforward: Teton County is likely following a national trend of more people taking to the outdoors. Which adds up to more chances for mishaps and calls for help.
Good weather might have contributed to an early spike in calls, Lockhart said.
After a lull during typically miserable spring days, TCSAR usually sees a jump in activity in June. This year, that came in May, with 13 calls that month.
This May, there were many “bluebird days, with no precipitation” that drew people out in greater numbers than are typical for the month, he said.
Some of the uptick in calls could just be up to chance, Lockhart said.
“Accidents happen, and sometimes they happen in batches,” he said.
After the busiest May ever for Teton County Search and Rescue, the summer has continued that pace. (Teton County Search and Rescue via Facebook) 
The Teton Count Search and Rescue team on a response during what was the busiest May ever for the group. (Teton County Search and Rescue via Facebook) 
The Teton Count Search and Rescue team on a response during what was the busiest May ever for the group. (Teton County Search and Rescue via Facebook) 
Teton County Search and Rescue respond to an injured biker on Parallel Trail on Teton Pass. (Teton County Search and Rescue via Facebook)
Outdoors Rec Is All The Rage
The outdoors is being loved more and not only in Teton County, but across the country.
It’s thought that the Covid pandemic pushed more people toward outdoor recreation, as they sought to escape lockdowns in metropolitan areas. And once people started going outside, they loved it and kept going back.
That jibes with TCSAR seeing a big jump in calls in 2021, which became the new normal for the team.
The growth in outdoor recreation is showing no signs of slowing and is expected to become an economic powerhouse for Wyoming.
Skiers, Snowmobilers Top The List Of Calls
A line graph of TCSAR’s calls resembles “the two humps on a camel’s back,” Lockhart said.
During mid-winter, there is a spike in calls, creating the first hump. That’s followed by a downturn, hitting bottom in March in April, and then rising again toward another peak in mid-summer.
The newest December to May report chronicles that mid-winter peak.
There were 18 calls in February and 13 in January.
All told, 27 of the calls were for skiers, and 17 were for snowmobilers.
The only call in the latest report involving a fatality came on Jan. 4, involving skiers caught in an avalanche at Breccia Cliffs in the Togwotee Pass area.
Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander was completely buried and died at the scene. Another skier was partially buried and injured.
The first call recorded in the report was for an injured snowmobiler in the Togwotee area on Dec. 21, 2024.
The most recent incident noted in the report was on May 29, for assistance with a hiker suffering a medical problem in Granite County.
‘Rescues Come In All Shapes And Sizes’
Whether the upward trend in outdoor recreation has brought greater numbers of accident-prone beginners to the backcountry is difficult to say, Lockhart said.
Experienced people can get in over their heads too, he said, noting that TCSAR is there to offer help, regardless of who needs it or how they got into trouble.
“Rescues come in all shapes and sizes,” he said.
“We’re there to give you a hand without judgment,” he added.
According to the newest report, 38% of rescues involved locals, and 4% were from residents of the region. Visitors from outside the region accounted for 34% of the calls, and in 24% of the rescues the victims’ residency wasn’t known.
Males got into the most trouble, accounting for 72% of the rescues, compared to 28% involving women.
Demographically, 16 to 30-year-olds accounted for 33% of the rescues, followed by 31 to 45-year-olds, with 29%.
Bound To Stay Busy
With Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks on track to have record or near-record numbers of visitors, Lockhart TCSAR expects to stay busy throughout the rest of the summer.
But the team is always ready to go, he said.
“I would say here we have a strong group of community members who are engaged and willing to serve in this capacity,” he said.
“They’re not burned out. That’s not something we’re seeing,” Lockhart added.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
