The Teton Climbers’ Coalition (TCC) is proud to announce the Jenny Lake Rangers as the recipients of its 2026 Local Heroes Award.
The award will be presented Saturday, January 17, 2026, during AlpinFilm, the Teton Climbers’ Coalition’s annual celebration of mountain stories, stewardship, and community.
“For generations, the Jenny Lake Rangers have been the steady presence behind our adventures in the Tetons,” said Christian Beckwith, Executive Director of the Teton Climbers’ Coalition. “They are the ones who answer the call when plans go awry, when accidents happen, and when time matters.
“This award is a small reflection of our community’s gratitude for a service that has saved lives, comforted families, and shaped mountain rescue here in the Tetons and beyond.”
Based at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station in Grand Teton National Park, the Jenny Lake Rangers are internationally respected for their technical excellence and leadership in mountain search and rescue. Their work has evolved alongside the modern history of climbing in Grand Teton National Park—from early rescue efforts in the 1920s to today’s complex operations involving advanced medical care, helicopter short-haul, and multi-agency coordination. Through it all, the Rangers have remained, first and foremost, climbers: deeply knowledgeable of the terrain, deeply committed to the community, and unwavering in their professionalism and care.
Established in 2024, the TCC’s Local Hero Award has historically honored individuals whose contributions meaningfully benefit the Teton climbing community in one or more of three core TCC mission areas—Stewardship, Engagement, or Advocacy.
Past recipients included Linda Merigliano, the Recreation Program Manager for the Jackson and Black Rock areas of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Garrick Hart, the founder of the Jackson Hole High School Mountaineering Club.
With the 2026 award, the Teton Climbers’ Coalition expanded the Local Heroes designation for the first time to recognize an organization, honoring the Jenny Lake Rangers’ extraordinary and enduring service to the mountaineering community of Grand Teton National Park.
“In recognizing the Jenny Lake Rangers, the TCC honors a century-long legacy of climbers helping climbers,” said Beckwith, “and the Rangers’ ongoing role as the ultimate backstop for those who venture into the Tetons.”
The award presentation will take place as part of AlpinFilm on January 17 in Jackson Hole. AlpinFilm features film screenings, panels, and community programming centered on adventure, stewardship, and the future of our public lands.