How I Was Rescued by Helicopter on the Wind River High Route (4k)

The Wind River High Route is already an enthralling, full-on, rugged adventure. But what happens when things go horribly wrong? On day 6 of 7, an accident caused me to use my Garmin InReach and call search and rescue. We needed to be rescued by helicopter out of the Wind River High Route. First, I want to give a HUGE shoutout to the Sublette County Tip Top Search and Rescue Team. Everyone was incredible. It does not go beyond us that they put their lives on the line to help get us out there. The Wind River High Route (Alan Dixon variation) is a 83-ish mile, cross-country backpacking trip that travels the length of the Wind River Range. It is an expert backpacking adventure that should only be attempted by highly experienced folks who have ample ability to navigate on rock, navigate cross country, do double-digit miles every day, and have touch of mountaineering experience. The route crosses 13 high-alpine passes - 9 of which are named, class 3 scrambling, and one glacier crossing. There is over 22,000 feet of elevation gain throughout the hike - we were at 19,000 feet of gain when we were rescued. 60-plus miles do not follow any trail and you are responsible for navigation. I would not recommend you attempt this route without training. Both Kat and I have decades of experience and we were in excellent shape. We ran Colorado's Four Passes Loop in a day just a few weeks prior and had trained for months to have the endurance and strength to manage the terrain. We both live at altitude. Support my channel - buy me a backcountry coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/megintheforest I don't accept sponsored gear or trips. I don't hawk courses. And I don't gatekeep information. My mission is to tell my story completely for free. This channel is completely funded by me. Looking for more about the logistics of the Wind River High Route? Check out this helpful write up: https://www.foxintheforest.net/wind-river-high-route/ If you're new to the outdoors and don't know some of the slang we use, I've got a quick reference below: Cairns: Man-made piles of rock that are typically used in the backcountry to signal the way to go. Talus: Rocky, boulder-like terrain often found on mountain passes and in mountain environments. Talus can be anywhere from backpack-sized to delivery truck-sized rocks. Bergschrund: WE TECHNICALLY USED THIS TERM INCORRECTLY. The *official* definition is a series of crevasses near the head of a mountain glacier. We were referring to the gap between snow or ice and rocks. We were NOT dipping into cravasses on the glacier - we were referring to the ditch between snow and rock - on the top-side of a snowfield. SAR: Short for Search and Rescue. My favorite mountain backpacking gear 👇 Pack cover - this saved my freind’s life! https://alnk.to/cwUHVBA OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L (My go-to UL pack): https://alnk.to/ei3MR2K Snapfolds UL Bowl: https://alnk.to/c09W6w0 MSR PocketRocket (pricier, but durable): https://rei.pxf.io/RGNnjN Katadyn Be Free Filter: https://rei.pxf.io/kO1MKM One Hydration Drinking tube for SmartWater Bottle: https://alnk.to/4XxCRKZ Adotek Grizzly Proof UL Bear Sack: https://alnk.to/2FDM7C2 Loksak: https://amzn.to/43FMfOf Sunscreen stick: https://amzn.to/43PDbq9 REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Thermarest NeoLoft Pad - wide: https://rei.pxf.io/VxvY9R Enlightened Equipment Enigma Sleeping Quilt 20F: https://alnk.to/aWFodLm Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow: https://alnk.to/4BI6UnI NiteCore NB10000 Gen 2 Power Bank: https://alnk.to/c09W6sB Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Culo Clean Bidet: https://amzn.to/4l08ST7 NOTE: These are affiliate links. I get a small kickback from every purchase, no matter the purchase, at no additional cost to you. This is a small way you can show support for my channel and it means a lot, so thank you! Follow me… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megintheforest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ #backpacking #backpackingtips #backpackingvlog #mountainviews #mountainadventures #thruhiking #ultralightbackpacking Time Stamps: 00:00 - intro 00:56 - Day One of the Wind River High Route, failed rides and power hiking 03:47 - Day 2 of the Wind River Dixon Route, Knapsack Col, Titcomb Basin and HEAT 07:24 - Day 3 of the Alan Dixon WRHR: Knifepoint Glacier, Alpine Basin, and ENDLESS unstable talus 12:22 - Day 4 of the Wind River High Route: persevering, missing gear, and lightning strikes 16:56 - Day 5 of the Wind River High Route: finding our stride - and Morodor?? 21:15 - Day 6 of the Wind River High Route: Trouble on Raid Pass and calling search and rescue 31:10 - Day 7 of the Wind River High Route: Helicopter evacuation 32:19 - Outro