Wyoming’s Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) will be holding a panel for those affected by death and trauma in the mountains. After a difficult winter that saw many tragic avalanche deaths, the panel aims to build community and to talk through backcountry fatalities. The panel encourages sharing personal perspectives, suggesting resources, and providing support during backcountry tragedies. It will be held on May 20, 2026, at Black Diamond in Jackson, Wyoming.
The panelists include TCSAR Board member Sara Adamson, TCSAR volunteer Brook Yeomans, and TCSAR volunteer Doug Van Houten. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Lynette Gaertner will moderate it. “All are welcome, whether you are navigating your own experience or showing up for others,” TCSAR wrote in an Instagram post.
The 2025-26 winter brought many tragic deaths, with a series of avalanches and backcountry accidents that affected various communities across the United States. A total of 23 people were killed by avalanches this winter, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The worst was an avalanche north of Lake Tahoe that killed 9 people on February 17, 2026, making it the deadliest in California’s history. Six of the victims were described as mothers.
Related: Official Report on the Castle Peak, CA, Avalanche That Killed 9 Reveals Critical Decision Errors, Undeployed Airbags, and Victims Buried 8 Feet Deep
Mountain communities are deeply affected by backcountry tragedies, and TSCAR wants to “start the conversation about what community resources, clinical tools, and stories of survival might help.”
When avalanches do strike, teams like TSCAR are there to assist in any way possible. Comprised entirely of volunteers, the TSCAR team is on call and available 24/7 to respond to backcountry emergencies. The team added a helicopter and a full-time aviation crew in 2023 to further assist when disaster strikes. The team is well-versed in avalanche rescue, swiftwater rescue, cave rescue, backcountry navigation, lost person search, and other important duties.
Related: Teton County Search & Rescue, WY, Raises Funds For Year-Round Helicopter
TSCAR also has a nonprofit foundation for supporting its volunteers. The foundation raises funds for training, equipment, and mental health support. The foundation also works with community education groups and local politicians regarding search and rescue funding.
TSCAR’s panel reflects an effort to speak more openly about the realities of backcountry tragedies. Organizers hope the panel will provide a space for conversation about grief, trauma, and the lasting effects these tragedies have on families, rescue teams, and communities.
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