The Fine Line

If a hunter falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, do they make a sound? Of course they do. They call for help and people come running. On this episode of The Fine Line, we look at at how a hunter happened to trip and fall in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the thickest of timber you can imagine, just as the sun was going down. The response led to an all-night mission from Teton County Search & Rescue. This story features TCSAR Chief Advisor Cody Lockhart, hunters Charlie Short and Jeremy Dietz, and some deep Wyoming wisdom about a rough and tumble rescue in a wild location. Thanks to Roadhousebrewery.com for sponsoring this episode. Interview by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink. The Fine Line is produced by the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation as part of its Backcountry Zero initiative, which uses education, outreach, and storytelling to help prevent accidents in the backcountry. Learn more at www.BackcountryZero.com.

Resilience is like a whitebark pine tree: When life tries to beat you down, you stand up strong in the face of adversity.  So what does that mean for those of us who like to go into the mountains? In this episode of The Fine Line, we step aside from our stories of rescues to have a conversation about resilience and the importance of mental health as a backcountry safety issue. Our guests for this show are: Josie McKee is a professional climber, mental health coach for climbers, a volunteer with Lander Search & Rescue, and the director of communications and operations for the Responder Alliance. Hunter Lee is a mental health coach and founder of Flourish JH. They sit down with host Matt Hansen to explain why resilience matters to mountain athletes and how backcountry users can be aware of how stress may impact their decision-making. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This interview was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. This episode is sponsored by https://arcteryx.com. For more on resilience and stress injuries, go to www.ResponderAlliance.com. To find Hunter Lee, go to www.FlourishJH.com.

The most famous North Face in the United States... a terrible accident... a daring helicopter rescue... and some important lessons learned about risk and what it means to move on from chasing your dream. In this next episode of The Fine Line, climber Jim Dahle explains how a fall on the North Face of the Grand Teton left him unconscious, with severe head, neck, and facial trauma. His partner, Christian Feinhauer, was left to treat his longtime friend and call for help from the Jenny Lake Rangers. Ken Kreis, a year-round Jenny Lake Ranger, discusses how the rescue unfolded into a helicopter mission, where the blades of the ship were just feet from the cliff face. The pilot that day was Jon Bourke, from Teton County Search & Rescue, underscoring the critical partnership between TCSAR and the Jenny Lake Rangers. As Dahle says, “Not all heroes were capes. Some of them wear harnesses.” You can learn more about the Jenny Lake Rangers and how you can support them at www.gtnpf.org/jenny-lake-rangers. Story and interview by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. This episode is sponsored by RoadhouseBrewery.com.

When climber Dave Black got a new lease on life after receiving a revolutionary treatment for Parkinson’s, he wanted to once again stand on the summit of the Grand Teton. A lifelong climber with 15-20 ascents on the Grand, he invited two younger climbers to join him for a push up the Exum Ridge on July 16, 2024. The events that occurred that day revealed several complex layers of high consequence adventure: decision-making, preparedness, person-to-person conflict, and the effect of a disease like Parkinson’s. In this episode, Dave is joined by Lexie Hunsaker, a seasonal Jenny Lake Climbing Ranger at Grand Teton National Park, who was inserted via helicopter short-haul—at about 12,800 feet up—to assist in the response. You can learn more about the Jenny Lake Rangers and how you can support them at www.gtnpf.org/jenny-lake-rangers. This interview is by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound are by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink. Huge thanks Arcteryx.com for sponsoring this episode.

Season 9 of The Fine Line begins. In this premiere episode, we go deep into a backcountry skiing accident that occurred on May 18, 2024.
Mark Fellermann and Tanner Flanagan recount how a picture-perfect spring day turned into a near-death experience after an accident in the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort backcountry.
Meanwhile, Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Brook Yeomans explains how this rescue went to the heart of why he wanted to become a volunteer in the first place. This episode covers the importance of being familiar with your gear, the special bond between ski partners, and how mental health can play a significant role in backcountry accidents. “Ride the Tram, Ski the ‘Shoe” is the first of six episodes in Season 9. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. Editing and sound are by Melinda Binks. Hosted and produced by Matt Hansen from the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. The original cover art is by Jen Reddy. This episode of The Fine Line is sponsored by Roadhousebrewery.com. Learn more about The Fine Line and additional risk mitigation programming at BackcountryZero.com.

A new season of The Fine Line drops on May 29. Join Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation and Backcountry Zero as we bring you honest conversations about how accidents happen in the backcountry, and how first responders solve complex problems to get people home safely. In the first of six episodes, Season 9 begins with a story about a backcountry ski accident outside the boundary of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Then, we dive into two separate climbing accidents on the Grand Teton, an all-night rescue of an injured hunter deep in grizzly country, a candid conversation about how mental health is a backcountry safety issue, and a ‘slam dunk’ snowmobile rescue that turned into an epic all-nighter for Teton County Search & Rescue. The Fine Line features music from former longtime Jackson residents Anne and Pete Sibley, Victor, Idaho-based musician Ben Winship, and original cover art by Jen Reddy. The show’s editing and sound are by Melinda Binks. Matt Hansen is the host and producer. Season 9 of The Fine Line is sponsored by Roadhouse Brewing Co. and by Arc’teryx. The show can be heard every Thursday at 2 p.m. on KHOL 89.1 FM in Jackson, Wyo., and downloaded for free wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at BackcountryZero.com.

Season 8 of The Fine Line concludes with a wild story that demonstrates how there will always be people who go right up to the edge in the Tetons, and venture beyond it despite the risks. The story includes the keen perspectives of Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Anthony Stevens and TCSAR Chief Pilot Steve Wilson, and how they rescued local snowboarder Sasha Motivala after a traumatic accident on No Name Peak back in April. Please tune in for this thought-provoking conversation about risk tolerance, decision-making, and the lifesaving skillsets of Teton County Search & Rescue. Produced by Backcountry Zero, Season 8 of The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with support from Roadhouse Brewing Co., Arc'teryx and KHOL. Editing for The Fine Line is by Melinda Binks, with original artwork by Jen Reddy. The theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music produced by Ben Winship. Interview and storytelling by Matt Hansen. Thank you so much for listening to The Fine Line. If you like what you hear, please leave us a review and share it with a friend.

Mount Glory is well known among backcountry skiers and snowboarders. But as a summer hiking trail? Not quite the same draw. And yet, for Lou and Kathy Fatkin, it made for the ideal location when they set out for a hike up the steep, dusty trail on July 16, 2023. Their story about the consequences of that day, despite the hardship, lends inspiration for experiencing some of our country's most treasured landscapes. TCSAR volunteer Anna DiSanto joins in the conversation about the team’s response: a good old-fashioned boots on the ground gruntfest during one of the hottest days of the year. Interview by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink. This episode of The Fine Line is presented by www.stio.com, with additional support from https://roadhousebrewery.com and https://891khol.org.

There are a million and one ways for people to get into trouble in the backcountry. And it is unfair to assume that everyone is being reckless. Sometimes, they just get their foot stuck. In this episode of The Fine Line, Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Doug Van Houten takes us back to an incident from 2018 when the SAR team had to pull out all the stops in order to help a Nordic skier get out of a jam, literally. Interview by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music written and produced by Ben Winship. The original cover art is by Jen Reddy. This episode of The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with additional support from Arc’teryx and KHOL.

Season 8 of The Fine Line rolls onward with a story about a mountain bike crash with potentially serious consequences on a trail near Teton Pass, Wyoming. The episode dives into the effectiveness of the BackcountrySOS app, and how Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers responded with delicate treatment of potentially life-altering injuries. Thanks to Rick Gordon and Dr. Tobin Dennis for sharing their experiences so the rest of us can learn—right as mountain bike season ramps up across the Mountain West. To hear another episode about misadventures on this same log bridge, check out "Night Rescue in Phillips Canyon" from Season 5. Season 8 of The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with support from Arc’teryx and KHOL. The original cover art is by Jen Reddy. The Fine Line’s theme song is by Anne & Pete Sibley, with additional music produced by Ben Winship. The Fine Line is produced and hosted by Matt Hansen, with editing and sound by Melinda Binks. Learn more about The Fine Line at BackcountryZero.com.

Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Carol Viau, one of the longest tenured members on the team, shares this memorable story from her very first rescue. It was October 26, 2000, a time before cell phones were ubiquitous, and when most callouts for TCSAR required good old-fashioned boots on the ground. "A Whistle in the Dark" reveals how and why someone is drawn to be a first responder, how intuition and basic skills can be invaluable during a cold, dark search, and how gentle conversations with a person in need can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves. Produced by Backcountry Zero, The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with additional support from Roadhouse Brewing Co. and KHOL 89.1 FM in Jackson. This episode was produced by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. The story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink.

Two bikepackers embark on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a 2,700-mile journey that traverses the Rockies from the Mexico border all the way to Canada. During their trip, a seemingly little decision comes back to haunt them in a big way, right as their route enters one of the most remote parts of Teton County, Wyoming. This episode not only reveals the challenges of preparing for such an undertaking, but takes on the headwinds of long-distance cycling and how, during our times of greatest need, we can rely on the kindness of complete strangers. For more information on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, Bikepacking.com is the authoritative voice on the subject. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. The interviews were conducted in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. Thank you to Maggie Slepian and Matt Maar for sharing their story, and to Mike Baum and TCSAR volunteer Ed Fries for lending their perspective to this slow burn of an epic journey. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink. This episode of The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with additional support from Arc'teryx and KHOL.

Season 8 of The Fine Line begins with a story from one of the most recognizable features of the southern Teton range, and a ski line that makes even the bravest skiers buckle their boots a little bit tighter: Cody Peak’s Central Couloir. On Saturday March 18, 2023, skiers Will Brown and Jacqueline Dickey dropped into Central after hiking out to the top of Cody from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram. What happened next forever changed their relationship to skiing and big, complex mountains. We also hear from Jackson Hole Ski Patroller Jeff Burke, who helps explain how different responding agencies come together to perform rescues in the JHMR backcountry—and how a pair of skis took the long road to get back to Jacqueline. If you are looking for mental health support, please visit Mental Health & Recovery Services of Jackson Hole, or dial the national crisis and suicide prevention hotline at 988. As we hear in this episode, mental health is a backcountry safety issue. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. The interviews were recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy. The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with additional support by Roadhouse Brewing Company and KHOL.

There aren’t many mountain bike trails in Jackson Hole as classic as the one called Ferrin’s. Built in 2005, the trail is one of the most popular in Jackson due to its challenging terrain, proximity to town, and linkage to other trails. But like any classic trail, it has inherent dangers that can take down even the best riders. In this episode of The Fine Line, we close out Season 7 with a wild story from August 22, 2022. The conversation goes deep into how a highly experienced mountain biker took a vicious crash on Ferrin's, and how her companion and Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers helped her get home during a torrential rainstorm. As we conclude this season, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has come on this podcast to share their stories of resilience and survival, and to our generous sponsors Roadhouse Brewing Co. and Stio. Special thanks to the musical artists Anne and Pete Sibley and Ben Winship for providing such beautiful sounds to accompany these stories, and to Melinda Binks for her masterful editing and partnership in producing this podcast with host and writer Matt Hansen. Caryn Flanagan is our smooth voice for sponsor readings. All interviews were recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM in downtown Jackson. And of course, a huge shout out to all the TCSAR volunteers who give so much of themselves to our community to bring people home after an accident in the backcountry. We are all indebted to your service. We'll be back in your feed with more stories of adventure, risk and rescue for Season 8 in 2024. Learn more at BackcountryZero.com.

On March 29, 2023, skier Dave Brown felt a sudden onset of extreme fatigue that was entirely new to him, and terribly serious. At 67 years old, the former ski patroller had never had any previous medical issues. But during a backcountry ski tour near Teton Pass, he knew he needed to get help—and get it fast. In this episode of The Fine Line, we’ll hear how Brown and his ski partner made a critical decision that helped save his life. Joining the conversation is Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Keegan Pfeil, who explains how the team responded to this life-threatening emergency in a deep timbered ravine where simply locating Brown was a challenge. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. The interviews were conducted in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. Our theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. The Fine Line is produced by Backcountry Zero and sponsored by Stio and Roadhouse Brewing Co.

How far back is far enough from the edge of a cornice? 10 feet, 20 feet, 30? On March 5, 2023, Jordan Bluse found out the hard way. He was riding his snowmobile with a group of friends in the Salt River Mountain Range outside of Afton, Wyoming, when a large cornice sheared off below him. He and his snowmobile fell through the cornice and tumbled down 1,200 vertical feet over multiple cliff bands. In this episode—our 50th—we’ll hear about Jordan's miraculous survival, while Teton County Search and Rescue’s Ian Johnston explains how a SAR assist plays out in this very remote corner of Wyoming. Thanks to the Star Valley Search & Rescue for the invaluable partnership in helping to bring this rescue to a positive outcome. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. Interviews were conducted in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM in downtown Jackson, Wyoming. Theme song by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. The Fine Line is produced by Backcountry Zero and sponsored by Stio and Roadhouse Brewing Co.

On July 13, 2022, three friends went out for a mountain bike ride on a trail they'd done too many times to count: the classic Ferrins-West Game-Cache Creek loop just outside of Jackson, Wyo. But the ride gets cut short when one of the riders has a violent crash, leaving him with severe injuries and a complicated rescue. In this episode of The Fine Line, the incident demonstrates how even the most experienced riders sometimes have accidents, even in their own backyard, and the hoops that TCSAR and other agencies must jump through to get someone out of the backcountry safely. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. The interviews were conducted in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. The theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. The Fine Line is produced by Backcountry Zero, and sponsored by Stio and by Roadhouse Brewing Co.

When skier Benton Hodges heard trees snapping and saw a huge powder cloud below him from an avalanche on Albright Peak in Grand Teton National Park, he thought he’d be in a life-or-death struggle to recover his buried friend. Instead, friend Charlie Pirc was saved when he struck a tree, preventing him from being buried in the 2,000-foot-long avalanche but leaving him with severe injuries high on the mountainside. In this episode, Benton, Charlie, and friends Evan Flach and Seth Frey talk about why they came forward to openly discuss this harrowing incident, while Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Dr. AJ Wheeler offers insights to how rescuers were able to bring Charlie safely out of the backcountry. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. Interviews were conducted in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM. Theme song by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. The Fine Line is produced by Backcountry Zero and is sponsored by Roadhouse Brewing Co. and by Stio.

On June 25, 2022, Terri Evenson and Brit West drove a truck and horse trailer way out into a little known corner of the Tetons. The Coyote Meadows trailhead is in Teton County, Wyoming, but it's at least a two-hour drive from Jackson. With three horses and a couple of dogs, they were aiming for a hidden valley deep inside the Jedediah Smith Wilderness, a vast landscape of snow-covered mountains and plateaus, pristine alpine lakes, and deep canyons that drain the western slope of the Tetons. On day two of their trip, Terri suffered severe injuries after her horse, a buckskin named Angel Fire, fell on top of her on an exposed section of trail roughly nine miles in the backcountry. In the Season 7 opener of The Fine Line, Terri and Brit revisit the ordeal, while TCSAR volunteers Chase Lockhart and Andrew Armington discuss how the team responded. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. Interviews were conducted in the studios at KHOL 89.1 FM. Theme song by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. The Fine Line podcast is sponsored by Stio and by Roadhouse Brewing Company.

When climbers Lars Schou and Sahir Enriquez joined up to climb the Open Book in Grand Teton National Park on July 25, 2021, they were confident it would be a beautiful “Sunday cruise” in the mountains. On the third pitch, however, Schou took a bad fall and sustained major injuries to both of his legs. In this episode, Schou and Enriquez discuss the ordeal, while Jenny Lake Climbing Ranger Philip Edmonds shares his perspective on responding to the incident on a precarious ledge. Meanwhile, climber Julia Heemstra speaks to how she and friend Hadden Goodman witnessed the fall and made the call to 911, and we hear from pilot Steve Wilson, who explains how he ever so carefully placed Edmonds on the wall via short-haul with the helicopter’s rotor blades mere feet from the rock face. Tune in for this incredible tale of a Teton rescue. Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This episode of The Fine Line is sponsored by Roadhouse Brewing Co. Thanks to KHOL 89.1 FM for the use of their studio.