Skier rescued in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park rangers together with members of Teton County Search and Rescue were dispatched to the Sliver Couloir on Nez Perce in the park at approximately 11:45 am on Saturday where a skier had been reportedly involved in an avalanche and injured. According to a news release from the park, two skiers were ascending the Sliver Couloir when a snowboarder above them triggered a small avalanche. The slide caused one of the skiers to be washed down the couloir and sustain an ankle injury.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received the call by means of inReach, and follow-up reports came via cell phones from people who skied to areas with coverage. The Teton County Search and Rescue helicopter with park rangers onboard responded to the injured skier, who had been able to self-rescue by scooting to a landing zone in Shadow Peak Cirque. Rangers were able to load the patient into the helicopter and then fly him to a landing zone at Windy Point Turnout along the Teton Park Road.



 
A friend of the injured skier picked him up and transported him to medical care. The park points out that this could have had a worse outcome and urges recreationists to be aware of other backcountry users in the area in their decision-making to maximize safety for everyone.



 

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