In this gripping season finale of Season 9 from The Fine Line, we hear from Jason Dunlop, a Jackson Hole local who’s been going on solo snowmobile missions deep into the Wyoming backcountry for more than 15 years. In March 2025, his string of successful adventures came to a crashing halt, leading to a complicated rescue that revealed many difficult lessons. The episode covers several topics, such as: emergency satellite texting via an iPhone; how and when to call for help; the dangers of complacency; and how SAR missions are never easy, even when they might appear to be on paper.
Interview by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM.
The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink.
This episode is sponsored by Arc’teryx.
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In this gripping season finale of Season 9 from The Fine Line, we hear from Jason Dunlop, a Jackson Hole local who’s been going on solo snowmobile missions deep into the Wyoming backcountry for more than 15 years. In March 2025, his string of successful adventures came to a crashing halt, leading to a complicated rescue that revealed many difficult lessons. The episode covers several topics, such as: emergency satellite texting via an iPhone; how and when to call for help; the dangers of complacency; and how SAR missions are never easy, even when they might appear to be on paper.
Interview by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM.
The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink.
This episode is sponsored by Arc’teryx.
50. Cornice Fall: Heli Rescue in the Salt River Range
The Fine Line
45 minutes 35 seconds
2 years ago
50. Cornice Fall: Heli Rescue in the Salt River Range
How far back is far enough from the edge of a cornice? 10 feet, 20 feet, 30?
On March 5, 2023, Jordan Bluse found out the hard way. He was riding his snowmobile with a group of friends in the Salt River Mountain Range outside of Afton, Wyoming, when a large cornice sheared off below him. He and his snowmobile fell through the cornice and tumbled down 1,200 vertical feet over multiple cliff bands.
In this episode—our 50th—we’ll hear about Jordan's miraculous survival, while Teton County Search and Rescue’s Ian Johnston explains how a SAR assist plays out in this very remote corner of Wyoming. Thanks to the Star Valley Search & Rescue for the invaluable partnership in helping to bring this rescue to a positive outcome.
Interviews and writing by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. Interviews were conducted in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM in downtown Jackson, Wyoming.
Theme song by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. The Fine Line is produced by Backcountry Zero and sponsored by Stio and Roadhouse Brewing Co.
The Fine Line
In this gripping season finale of Season 9 from The Fine Line, we hear from Jason Dunlop, a Jackson Hole local who’s been going on solo snowmobile missions deep into the Wyoming backcountry for more than 15 years. In March 2025, his string of successful adventures came to a crashing halt, leading to a complicated rescue that revealed many difficult lessons. The episode covers several topics, such as: emergency satellite texting via an iPhone; how and when to call for help; the dangers of complacency; and how SAR missions are never easy, even when they might appear to be on paper.
Interview by Matt Hansen. Editing and sound by Melinda Binks. This story was recorded in the studios of KHOL 89.1 FM.
The Fine Line theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music provided by Ben Winship. Original artwork by Jen Reddy Ink.
This episode is sponsored by Arc’teryx.
