Grand Teton National Park (WY)
Snowboarder Dies Of Traumatic Injuries

On Monday, May 5th, a backcountry snowboarder died, likely from traumatic injuries he sustained during a 1,500-foot fall on Teewinot Mountain. 

Joseph Lohr, 24, of Anchorage, Alaska, and had summited the 12,325-foot mountain with two companions around 10 a.m. They were descending the snow-covered peak on snowboards and skis when the accident occurred.

Lohr’s partners made an emergency call for help via cell phone soon after they reached their friend, who lay unconscious but breathing on a steep slope of Teewinot’s eastern flank. Lohr’s companions worked continually to keep him warm and breathing while awaiting rescue.

Upon receiving the emergency call, rangers immediately mobilized a response and summoned a helicopter from Ogden, Utah, to assist with the rescue operation. A hasty team of rangers skied 3,000 vertical feet up the eastern flank of Teewinot Mountain to reach Lohr and assist with emergency medical care while preparing him for transport. When the ship arrived around 3 p.m., snow squalls, high winds and low visibility prevented an aerial rescue attempt.

Lohr died from his injuries at 4 p.m., not long after rangers arrived on scene.

One ranger assisted Lohr’s companions to the valley floor while the remaining rescue personnel used a litter, ropes and pulleys to move Lohr’s body to a less hazardous area down the mountain slope. Due to hazardous snow conditions and waning light, rescuers secured the rescue litter on the mountain for the evening and returned to the valley floor at approximately 10 p.m.  Rescuers returned to the mountain on Tuesday morning to retrieve Lohr’s body.

Although most recently a resident of Salt Lake City, Lohr was in the process of moving to Jackson. His parents happened to be in the valley on a visit and were present for much of the park’s rescue effort on Monday and recovery mission on Tuesday. According to his father, Lohr and his companions were all experienced backcountry snowboarders/skiers who knew how to handle themselves well in such mountainous terrain.

Lohr was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Dehydrated hiker rescued  – http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865602424/Search-and-rescue-crews-find-dehydrated-hiker-missing-in-The-Wave.html

Machete cut ends vision quest – http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Wolfe-Co-Search-and-Rescue-Team-saves-man-injured-by-machete-258021391.html?ref=391

Lost family calls for help – http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865602512/Search-and-rescue-crews-looking-for-family-in-Cache-County.html

Hiker packs a six pack instead of gear and has to be rescued – http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/police-rescue-intoxicated-tramper-5965804

Injured hiker fantasizes about movie actress to keep his spirits up – http://infotel.ca/newsitem/injured-hiker-shares-story-of-fear-and-rescue/it9866

Injured skier rescued – http://www.krdo.com/news/search-for-skier/25915368

Tragedy on the lake – http://www.castanet.net/news/BC/114960/1-teen-dead-3-missing-in-lake

Missing hiker found – http://www.morganton.com/news/missing-hiker-found/article_11b8c608-d926-11e3-b795-001a4bcf6878.html

Stuck on a ledge – http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/05/12/eda-woman-rescued-from-ledges-in-snow-canyon-state-park/#.U3FxtPldX58

Two brothers and their plane missing: http://www.krtv.com/news/wyoming-officials-search-for-small-plane-reported-overdue/

Wreckage found: http://www.kaj18.com/news/missing-aircraft-located-on-wyoming-mountainside/