Dramatic Helicopter Rescue on Glacier’s Mount Reynolds

Sunday became a few minutes out of an action movie for one free solo climber on Mount Reynolds in Glacier National Park. The woman was what is called "cliffed out," surrounded by unstable boulders with no route to the bottom. Cue Whitefish's Two Bear Air Rescue Team, who, the last time we saw them in action, were going after an armed and dangerous gunman near Ananconda.

Two Bear Air to the Rescue

The Two Bear crew had a well-executed rescue by flying in, spotting her on the rock face, then lowering a rescuer down to the tiny ledge where she stood. And you can't negotiate much on a cliff in GNP. One wrong step and it's the fast lane to the valley floor. After securing her, the hoist line immediately lifted both her and the rescuer up into the chopper. She was flown to Logan Pass and delivered to park rangers unharmed.

But the real kicker is that Two Bear Air is funded by donations, meaning this high-altitude rescue was performed at no cost to the taxpayers.

Why It Matters in Montana

Free climbing is all skill, courage, and faith that you can hold on to that ledge. But Glacier is level EXPERT. Get one grip wrong, and the next stop is “CALL IN A CHOPPER.” Fortunately, we have organizations like Two Bear Air. Whether you're hiking, climbing, or just staring at the peaks from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, it's reassuring to know Two Bear Air has your back.

Many thanks to the pilots, rescue specialists, and all who contribute to these saves. Montana is a wild place; you never know what will come next.