If you haven't personally been involved in a high-altitude rescue, or you have and it was muddled in logistical chaos, then this video is most definitely for you.

 

For veteran Jackson Hole climber Michelle Smith, this was her first airlift. Thanks to some quick thinking and preparation by her climbing partner Stephen Koch, and the incredibly quick and efficient Jenny Lake Climbing Rangers rescue crew, they were able to put together this poignant rescue tutorial.

 

It started as a seemingly normal climb, with a goal to simply reach the top. Within a split second while crossing the Valhalla Traverse, one of the most dangerous sections on the Grand Teton, she fell 30 feet and came to a sudden stop --thanks to her equipment-- above a 2,000-foot cliff. After sustaining injuries serious enough where she couldn't get down on her own power, she and climbing partner Stephen Koch were forced to call for rescue.

 

This story has a happy ending, but as we all know unhappy endings happen more often than not (especially within media coverage). Here's Michelle's recount of the incident, and her checklist for working through high-altitude rescues.

 

"All in all, I was pretty lucky with my rescue. You hear about stories of people who have to cut off limbs to get free, or they have to spend nights out in the wilderness before the find help. Luckily none of that stuff happened to me, and I really just had to wait a couple of hours before I got help. But I definitely had a lot of things going for me that made that possible."

 

1> Choose a great climbing partner

2> Keep a calm head

3> Pack your trusty down jacket

4> Always keep your eye on the weather

5> Keep those cell phone batteries charged

6> Be very aware of local rescue outfits