Injured Hiker Rescued from Garnet Canyon

July 23, 2010
10-58
At 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, park rangers received a report of an injured hiker in Garnet Canyon. Scott Hanson, 43, of El Dorado Hills, California was completing a two-day guided climb of the Grand Teton when he slipped on a rock in a boulder field about four miles up Garnet Canyon and sustained minor injuries. Hanson had successfully completed his climb of the Grand Teton and was walking out of Garnet Canyon at the time of the accident.

Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received notice of the situation about 2 p.m. on Thursday. The guide for the excursion reported that his client was unable to continue hiking out and would require assistance for evacuation from the canyon.

A Teton Interagency helicopter was still on scene at the Jenny Lake rescue cache after completing two lengthy and challenging days of rescue operations on the Grand Teton. The ship’s availability made it possible to conduct a quick aerial evacuation of Hanson. Two rangers were flown by helicopter to a spot near the boulder field. From there, they hiked to Hanson’s location, provided emergency medical care and placed him in an evacuation suit for a short-haul flight. Hanson, accompanied by a ranger, was then flown beneath the helicopter directly to Lupine Meadows.

Hanson remained in the care of rangers until his father hiked out approximately four miles and transported him to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson for additional care.

Rangers remind backcountry users that most injuries are the result of slips on rock or snow; in addition, most accidents with injuries occur at the end of the day, on the descent, when people are tired and perhaps inattentive.