BOISE, Idaho — A Wyoming based search and rescue team flew over to Idaho to save a hiker who injured his leg.
At roughly 1 p.m. on Saturday, Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) flew out to the Ketchum area of Idaho after they received a request to help rescue a hiker, they announced on Facebook.
The hiker had fallen while trying to climb Hyndman Peak in the Pioneer Mountain Range. The 12,012 foot mountain has rugged terrain, and the hiker had fallen, resulting in a serious leg injury.
Ketchum and Sun Valley fire departments coordinated the rescue. At first, the plan was to have an Air St. Luke's helicopter come to the peak of the mountain, but they were unable to reach the hiker's location. The fire departments realized that they need a helicopter team with short-haul capabilities, so they called Teton County, Wyoming dispatch and got connected to TCSAR.
TCSAR has assisted rescue agencies outside of their area before, if the request "meets certain operational criteria". This was their fifth out-of-county call in 2024.
TCSAR evaluated many factors before accepting the rescue. "They looked at several factors, including: flight distance to the hiker, weather, weight of the ship and crew, fuel capacity, and the safety of the rescue team. They also checked in with their federal partners to make sure there was a backup plan while the ship was out of county," the Facebook post said.
They decided to go for the rescue, and the helicopter team took off. A pilot and two TCSAR volunteers flew directly to the hiker, getting there in roughly an hour and a half. They located the hiker, and the team successfully short-hauled him to a waiting ambulance at a nearby trailhead, they said.
After the hiker was given to the ambulance, TCSAR helicopter team flew to the airport near Hailey, refueled, and made their way back to Jackson, Wyoming.
TCSAR completed the entire rescue in less than 6 hours.
TCSAR thanks Blaine County Firefighters, Sun Valley Fire Department, the City of Sun Valley, the City of Ketchum, and Air St. Luke's for their efforts, and helping to bring the hiker out safely.
