NYS Forest Rangers conducted several search and rescue missions over the past week, including two rescues at the Trap Dike on Mount Colden in the Adirondacks, during one of which a man was stranded in the same spot for seven hours (read about those here).
Other incidents included a dehydrated hiker at Kaaterskill Falls, an injured hiker, two lost hikers, and one suffering from hypothermia in the Adirondack High Peaks, and an angler, and separately a hunter, reported overdue.
Town of Hunter, Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 19 at 2 p.m., Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Zeleznik requested Forest Ranger assistance with a dehydrated hiker at the observation platform at Kaaterskill Falls.
The 69-year-old from Fresh Meadow had severe cramping and couldn’t walk. AFR Zeleznik provided water and electrolytes. Forest Ranger Dawson continued the patient assessment while allowing the patient to rest and reduce their heart rate.
Since the cramping didn’t go away, Rangers loaded the patient into Ranger Dawson’s truck. Rangers drove the hiker and their spouse to their vehicle. They refused further medical attention. The incident was clear at 3:20 p.m.
Town of Keene, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 20 at 9:15 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an unstable lower leg injury on Cascade Mountain. The 16-year-old from Mountaindale rolled their ankle just above the tree line.
New York State Police (NYSP) Pilot Sergeant Beck flew Forest Ranger Lieutenant Praczkajlo and Ranger Adams to the scene. Lieutenant Praczkajlo lowered Ranger Adams down to the teenager. Ranger Adams splinted the injury and harnessed the subject.
Ranger Praczkajlo performed a successful hoist. Sergeant Beck flew them to the hospital. The incident was clear at 10:09 a.m. Video of the hoist is available here.
Town of Keene, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 20 at 4:10 p.m., Essex County received a 911 text from a hiker who said they were freezing and in shock near the summit of Mount Marcy, New York State’s highest peak. The hiker fell, refused to move due to stress, and became hypothermic.
Forest Ranger Jeffery made phone contact and explained that if they didn’t get out of the wind, they could die from hypothermia. New York State Police Pilot Sergeant Beck flew three Rangers to the scene.
Forest Ranger Lieutenant Praczkajlo inserted Rangers Adams and Jeffery. Rangers warmed the subject from Schenectady and hiked them down to Marcy Dam Outpost. Ranger Jeffery provided an ATV ride to their vehicle. The incident was clear at 10 p.m.
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 20 at 9:04 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a group of four hikers lost on Mount Marcy. The 18- to 23-year-olds from New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania had been hiking Phelps Mountain and took a “short cut” across Marcy Brook, hoping to make it out before their phone and head lamp batteries died.
They called 911 for help shortly before their phones died. Forest Ranger Jeffery had just finished another rescue and hiked back into the woods and located the group.
Rangers Adams, Donegan, and Morehouse, had also just finished a rescue, and drove ATVs to meet the hikers and Ranger Jeffery on Truck Road. They drove the group back to their vehicle at the Adirondak Loj trailhead. The incident was clear at 10:42 p.m.
Town of Indian Lake, Hamilton County
Water Search: On October 21 at 7:14 p.m., Hamilton County 911 received a call reporting a spouse overdue while fishing at Mud Pond. An app placed the 62-year-old in the middle of the pond.
Forest Rangers Miller, Morehouse, and Nahor located the subject on the pond and assisted them to shore. Aside from being cold, the angler didn’t have any other medical issues. Long Lake Ambulance did a patient assessment. The incident was clear at 9:15 p.m.
Town of Brasher, St. Lawrence County
Wilderness Search: On October 24 at 9 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from St. Lawrence County 911 requesting Forest Ranger assistance with the search for an overdue hunter on Brasher State Forest. The 38-year-old hunter from Potsdam was expected home by 6:30 p.m. Family called 911.
Rangers Ellis and Hanno joined New York State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Helena Fire Department in the search. Fire Department UTVs and a drone operator conducted linear searches.
At 11:10 p.m., the hunter called 911. Rescuers used the coordinates from the 911 call and located the hunter at 11:30 p.m. The incident was clear at 12:26 a.m.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.
Each Friday morning New York Almanack‘s John Warren reports outdoor recreation conditions for the Adirondacks at North Country Public Radio (NCPR).
If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on State lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.
Read More Recent Forest Ranger Reports
Photo of Cascade Mountain hoist rescue provided from DEC video.
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