Mountain Rescues Hampered With Copter Contract Switch

October 23, 2014

Backcountry users will not have a helicopter to help them out of a jam in the Teton, Wyo., area for the next two weeks as agencies make the switch between summer and winter contracts.

Tuesday is the last day of the summer contract for the Teton Interagency helicopter, which is contracted by Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest and used by agencies throughout Teton County.

Grand Teton spokesman Andrew White says that helicopter will no longer be available beginning on Wednesday.

According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide, a helicopter under contract with Teton County Search and Rescue will not arrive until Nov. 5.

Rescuers say the lack of a helicopter will make mountain rescues more time-consuming and more difficult.