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Record number of rescues logged in Tetons

This 1995 photo shows String Lake with snow-covered mountains in the background at Grand Teton National Park, Wyo. Several of the glaciers on the Tetons have lost more than 20 percent of their surface area over 40 years. (File Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
This 1995 photo shows String Lake with snow-covered mountains in the background at Grand Teton National Park, Wyo. Several of the glaciers on the Tetons have lost more than 20 percent of their surface area over 40 years. (File Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

MOUNTAINEERING --  Major searches and rescues at Grand Teton National Park hit a single-year record last week.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports that park officials aren’t sure yet why there were so many rescues this year.

The record was eclipsed Aug. 20 when climber Lauren McLean of Lake Oswego, Ore., became the 31st major rescue since the park’s fiscal year began Oct. 1. McLean fell 20 to 30 feet because her belay system failed.

The busy year started right away for the Jenny Lake Climbing Rangers. Twelve major rescues were performed during the winter and early spring months.

Full-time ranger Chris Harder told the newspaper rangers normally perform three to four major rescues during the winter.

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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