Another Photographer in Trouble

Popular backcountry ski blogger (TetonAT) and Teton County Search and Rescue volunteer Steve Romeo has more blogging time on his busy hands now. After posting on his website pictures he took of the Couloir restaurant avalanche scene last week at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort while he was there as part of the Teton County Search and Rescue team, Teton County Sheriff Bob Zimmer removed Mr. Romeo from the team. Apparently there is an unwritten rule against SAR volunteers from distributing any photos they may take while on SAR duty. Zimmer had previously talked to Mr. Romeo about an early violation of this rule by Mr. Romeo, so he decided to can Mr. Romeo after this latest violation.

Mr. Romeo’s position that his website is performing a public service  by increasing avalanche awareness among its viewers, people who are active travelers in avalanche country is valid. Showing the destructive force of avalanches and the danger they pose even in areas that people assume to be safe, can deliver a powerful lesson.

I guess I sympathize with Mr. Romeo, although one can’t dismiss the possibility of an ulterior motive of attracting more visitors to his TetonAt website. But, if Teton County SAR feels so strongly about keeping photos from their benevolent missions private and Mr. Romeo was well aware of this restriction, I can see justification for his termination.

This appears to be a lose-lose situation. I think he was an asset to SAR, being the strong mountaineer that he is. Mr. Romeo lost too, the growth of his knowledge and experience from his volunteer work with SAR won’t be replaceable elsewhere, and his website will be the poorer for it.

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