Stranded Climber Rescued

An Olympia, Washington man was rescued yesterday by Grand Teton National Park rangers after he became stranded on the Middle Teton late Monday. Park Spokesperson Jenny Anzelmo says 27-year-old Eric Rohner had intended a solo summit of the Middle Teton but got off route and became ‘cliffed out.’ Anzelmo says Rohner ended up in a location from which he did not feel he could safely get down without risk of injury and he called for help. Anzelmo says Rohner placed a 911 call for help just after 1:00 am Tuesday. The call was received by Teton Valley, Idaho and transferred to Teton Interagency Dispatch Center in Grand Teton National Park.  A ranger who was scheduled to coordinated rescues on Monday was able to communicate directly with Rohner via cell phone and determine that he had enough food and water, as well as appropriate gear and extra clothing, to spend the night on the Middle Teton. Anzelmo says rescue operations began at 4:30 Tuesday morning. A Teton Interagency contract helicopter scheduled to be at Lupine Meadows for short-haul training yesterday was pressed into service for a reconnaissance flight to pinpoint Rohner’s location on the mountain when rangers on the ground were unable to spot him.  During that flight, Anzelmo says, the pilot determined the best rescue plan was to short-haul Rohner from the mountain to a landing zone in Garnet Canyon.  That move, she says, saved an estimated six people approximately six hours to perform the rescue had they pursued traditional methods.  Anzelmo says Rohner, who works in Teton Valley, Idaho is familiar with the area although he apparently is not an avid climber.  Still she says, he knew when he was in trouble and needed to seek help.  She adds that Rohner was prepared to spend the night out if necessary.