As the snow and ice thaw, many Wyomingites can’t wait to get outside to enjoy our area’s recreational opportunities that are the envy of many around the world.

In the summer months, northern Wyoming’s breathtaking mountains beckon hikers and climbers, while lakes and rivers entice those who love fishing, water skiing, boating and kayaking. Badlands and peaks entice adventurers on mountain bikes, horses and off-road vehicles.

But winter isn’t lacking in adventure — there’s skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, as well as ice climbing and ice fishing.

Of course, like just about anything else in life, every season of outdoor recreation comes with potential danger.

Every time you enjoy Wyoming’s beautiful outdoors — whether hiking Heart Mountain or kayaking down the Shoshone — there’s risk involved. But thankfully, when a hiker suffers a fall or a kayak overturns, trained search and rescue teams are ready to help.

Park County Search and Rescue volunteers respond to wherever they’re called — and in our corner of northwest Wyoming, that often means rugged terrain. They also respond whenever — late nights, early mornings, weekends — and some rescues take many hours to complete as they work amid challenging conditions.

On a recent wintry weekend, while many of us were enjoying the warmth of our homes, volunteers willingly plunged into the frigid waters of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir for a training exercise with the swift water rescue team.

While ice rescues are rare, “we don’t train on what has happened, but rather what could happen,” explained Search and Rescue Coordinator Bill Brown in a news release last month. “And being prepared is the key to a successful ice rescue where response time is critical.”

We’re thankful for the many hours that search and rescue members devote to training; it’s time away from their weekend hobbies, family and friends, so they can be better prepared to help those in need.

In recent weeks, search and rescue members rushed to the aid of an ice climber who fell some 30 feet on the South Fork. They also rescued a snowmobiler who was injured in an accident in the Beartooth Mountains. In that incident, search and rescue members were aided by The Snow Team —  a group of snowmobilers from the Cody Snowmobile Association, who offer their snowmobiling expertise when needed.

Park County Search and Rescue’s core group consists of 25 to 30 volunteers, but they also partner with those who have special skills and knowledge. Currently, the group is looking for experienced cavers who could offer their help and expertise (see story here).

Search and rescue efforts in Park County couldn’t happen without volunteers and agencies working together. Their work is even more impressive and appreciated when you consider the wildness, ruggedness and vastness of our corner of Wyoming — not to mention the extreme weather conditions.

While no one expects to have their outdoor adventure end in a worst-case scenario — injured in a cave, stranded in the water or lost in the backcountry — we appreciate the highly skilled volunteers who are always ready and willing to respond.