Forest rangers in New York rescued a group of six hikers who had underestimated the length of a hike last week. It was one of several wilderness rescues performed by rangers last week.
According to New York Department of Environmental Conservation officials, rangers received a report of a hiking group in the West Canada Lake Wilderness in Lake Pleasant, New York who were concerned they couldn’t all make it out of the woods. The group reportedly hadn’t planned for such a long hike.
A ranger instructed the group to get to the Colvin Brook lean-to. Another ranger hiked the Sucker Brook trail from Lewey Lake campground, while two other rangers hiked up the Cedar River Flow to the Carry Pond lean-to.
A ranger rode a UTV on the Wilson Ridge trail. After reaching the Carry Pond lean-to, two rangers hiked roughly a mile-and-a half to the Colvin Brook lean-to. At 6:50 p.m., they reached the six hikers and two dogs.
Rangers provided food and water and then assisted them to the UTV. Rangers took three subjects at a time to the Wilson Ridge Trailhead where a ranger was waiting to provide a ride to their campground. Resources were clear at 11 p.m.
Injured Hiker Near Kaaterskill Falls
On Monday, July 27 at 2:34 p.m., Greene County Dispatch requested forest ranger assistance for the rescue of a hiker with an ankle injury on the Kaaterskill Falls Trail in Haines Falls, New York.
At 3 p.m., an assistant ranger and EMS reached the 32-year-old from Schenectady. Paramedics splinted the ankle.
Rescuers packaged the patient in a wheeled litter. Along with Twin Cloves Technical Rope Team, they wheeled the patient to an awaiting UTV.
Rangers transported the subject to the Laurel House parking lot. At 4:55 p.m., Windham Ambulance transported the patient to the hospital.
Hiker With Leg Injury On Hurricane Mountain
On Thursday, July 30 at 3:19 p.m., two forest rangers responded to a call for a hiker with a lower leg injury on Hurricane Mountain in Keene, roughly half a mile up the Hurricane 9N Trail.
Rangers splinted the ankle injury. Six additional rangers responded to assist with the carry-out.
Rangers provided medication and packaged the 74-year-old from Pennsylvania in a wheeled litter. At 7:49 p.m., they reached the trailhead, where a family member transported the patient to the hospital.
Hiker Rolled Ankle And Heard ‘Crack’
On Thursday, July 30 at 4:38 p.m., while responding to the Hurricane Mountain rescue, a ranger diverted to a different rescue at the Cobble Lookout in Wilmington.
A 29-year-old from Peekskill rolled their ankle, heard a crack, and determined they couldn’t bear any weight on it.
A passing hiking party assisted the hiker to the overlook. A ranger and EMS splinted the injury and used a wheeled litter to evacuate the subject. At 6:50 p.m., an ambulance transported the patient to the hospital.
A Fall And Injury On Appalachian Trail
On Friday, July 31 at 3:45 p.m., a forest ranger responded to a call for an injured hiker on the Appalachian Trail west of Depot Hill Multiple Use Area in Beekman.
The 68-year-old from Hopewell Junction slipped down a steep rocky area of the trail and suffered bruises and a large gash to their leg.
The ranger was only half a mile away when the call came in and was able to reach the subject quickly to treat the injuries and help the subject out of the woods.
Another ranger and members of the fire department cleared downed trees to make the path more passable. At 5:15 p.m., they made it to the trailhead where an ambulance was waiting.
Young Hiker With Difficulty Breathing
On Saturday, August 1 at 7:13 a.m., three rangers responded to a call for a hiker having trouble breathing along the border of Newcomb and Harrietstown. The 24-year-old from Oregon camped at Ward Brook near the Seymour Mountain Trail and was heading to the Calkins Brook lean-to.
The hiker last ate at 2 p.m. but was able to keep hydrating.
Two rangers moved downed trees and branches to clear a path for an ATV.
When rangers reached the hiker, the subject was still having trouble breathing and had a low pulse. Rangers provided electrolytes and the hiker’s condition improved immediately.
Rangers provided a ride out of the woods. The subject refused further medical care. Resources were clear at 11:45 a.m.
