New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC:
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 24 at 9 a.m., Forest Ranger Praczkajlo responded to a call for a reportedly deceased hiker on Cascade Mountain. Two hikers had called 911 to report the third member of their hiking party had died. When the hikers encountered the Cascade Summit Steward, the pair also advised that they were lost. The steward determined the hikers were in an altered mental state.
The third member of their party called and was not injured. Ranger Praczkajlo escorted the two hikers, who had ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms, to a waiting ambulance and New York State Police unit. Ranger Praczkajlo escorted the third hiker back to their campsite.
Town of Lake George, Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 25 at 3 p.m., Forest Ranger Donegan responded to a call for a hiker with a leg injury on the Prospect Mountain trail. Ranger Donegan hiked to the 49-year-old from Manlius, splinted the hiker’s ankle, and packaged him in a litter.
With the help of Lake George Fire and EMS and North Queensbury Fire, Ranger Donegan carried the subject to a waiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 5:33 p.m.
Village of Cold Spring, Putnam County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 26 at 3 p.m., Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve staff requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker unable to continue hiking. Parks staff reached the 20-year-old from Peekskill who was experiencing body cramping.
At 4:30 p.m., Rangers provided food and electrolytes, which improved the hiker’s condition to the point she was able to make it out of the woods with the rescuers. The subject refused further medical attention. Resources were clear at 7:30 p.m.
DEC encourages hikers to bring plenty of food and water for their hike in case the hike lasts longer than expected. Proper preparation for a hike can reduce bouts of cramping and dehydration.
Town of Naples, Ontario County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 26 at 7:10 p.m., Forest Ranger Miller responded to a call for two hikers who had fallen into Clark Gully. Bristol, Cheshire, Dundee, Middlesex, and Naples Fire Departments, along with the Dundee and Ontario County rope teams, also responded.
Rescuers brought the hikers out of the gully. One had suffered a leg injury and the other suffered back pain. Rescuers assisted two additional hikers out of the gully. By 9:20 p.m., all four hikers were out of the woods. Two of the hikers were transported to the hospital. Resources were clear at 10:10 p.m.
Town if North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Search: On May 26 at 10:41 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a group of three hikers on the Marcy Dam truck trail. The hikers from Georgia could not get out of the woods because they didn’t have adequate light sources. Ranger Duchene found the hikers and escorted them out of the woods.
DEC encourages hikers to bring head lamps and extra batteries. Cell phones are not a good source of light in the High Peaks; batteries often run out quickly leaving hikers with no light.
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