Woman Rescued North of West Yellowstone

A 17-year-old cross country skier was rescued from the back country after injuring her knee.

According the the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office:

On Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at approximately 11:37 a.m., the Gallatin County  Sheriff’s Office, West Yellowstone Search and Rescue, and Forest Service Personnel received a report that a 17-year-old female cross country skier had injured her knee 3.5 miles north of the town of West Yellowstone.

The skier was cross country skiing with her parents on the Boundary Trail when she fell and twisted her knee, also sustaining a cut on the same knee.  She was unable to ski out and her parents were able to contact 911 dispatchers by cell phone to report the incident and request assistance.

Search and Rescue personnel were able to quickly locate the skier via a snowmobile with a rescue sled attached and a tracked ATV.  The skier was placed into the rescue sled and transported to an awaiting ambulance where she was treated for minor injuries and released.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all backcountry enthusiasts to remember to take the proper safety equipment, first aid kits, proper clothing and gear, and a reliable source of communication when enjoying Montana’s many outdoor opportunities.

Even if you are headed out for just a few hours, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. A relatively simple trip can easily turn into something much more without the proper equipment and the knowledge of how to use it.