Teton Co. Search & Rescue helicopter delivers
search dog teams to Garnet Canyon during snow squall.
search dog teams to Garnet Canyon during snow squall.
Search teams fan out over the lower Meadows in Garnet Canyon
in low visibility conditions on Tuesday, April 19.
April 20, 201111-18
Several rescue teams were flown by helicopter into the Meadows area of Garnet Canyon early this morning, April 20, to resume a methodical search for Walker Kuhl, age 27, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Gregory Seftick, age 31 of Columbia Falls, Montana. The two men skied into Garnet Canyon at Grand Teton National Park on Saturday, April 16, with plans to camp overnight and explore areas around the Grand Teton. They were reported overdue for work at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, April 18.
Today, three rescue teams of four people each, as well as two dog teams continue to explore the lower Meadows—an area that is one of several possible locations where the missing men may be found. Rescuers are also probing areas higher in elevation in the south and north forks of Garnet Canyon. Search teams were not able to check the steeper terrain in those areas yesterday because of unstable snow conditions.
Improved weather conditions today have provided better visibility and allowed for additional helicopter flights. Rescue teams will continue to both expand their search areas and focus on likely locations that might provide clues as to the whereabouts of the missing skiers.
At this time, similar rescue operations are planned for tomorrow, weather permitting. While weather conditions today are nearly ideal for the search operation, the forecast is calling for increasing clouds and snow by tomorrow.
