Forest rangers had to rescue several hikers in New York last week. In a number incidents, rangers responded to reports of hikers suffering injuries, becoming lost, or becoming stranded by difficult terrain or darkness.
The following are reports of wilderness rescues conducted by New York Department of Environmental Conservation officials last week. Check out our hiking safety tips before you head out into the wilderness.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 4 at 8:55 p.m., forest rangers responded to a call from a group of five hikers who became lost descending Beaver Meadow Falls trail on the east side of Gothics Mountain. The hikers were cold and concerned about the steep terrain. The group was using phones for navigation and light and device batteries were low. At 10:29 p.m., rangers made contact with the subjects and helped them back to their vehicles. Upon interviewing the subjects, rangers learned the group started their hike at 4 p.m. with a group of nine but had split up due to different abilities. Rangers verified all nine subjects made it back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 11:32 p.m.
Town of Cairo
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 5 at 3:55 p.m., Greene County requested Forest Ranger assistance with an injured hiker at the Storks Nest trail in the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness. The 49-year-old from Earlton had head and arm injuries. Rangers Fox and France reached the subject, assessed her injuries, and carried her to the trailhead. The subject was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Resources were clear at 5:49 p.m.
Town of Pinckney
Lewis County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 5 at 5:21 p.m., Lewis County Dispatch received a call from two hikers who advised they had been climbing down the edge of Inman Gulf and unable to climb up or down. Prior to Ranger arrival, the 23- and 24-year-olds from Fort Drum managed to make it to the bottom of the gorge. At 6:30 p.m., Rangers reached the pair, provided them with food and water, and hiked them out two miles to Whitesville Road. Resources were clear at 7:55 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 5 at 6 p.m., Forest Rangers Black and O’Connor responded to a call for a hiker in distress on the Lake Arnold Trail. The hiker was experiencing weakness and could not continue with her group. Rangers reached the 20-year-old from Spencertown and helped her back to the trailhead to reunite with hiking partners. Resources were clear at 9:07 p.m.
DEC encourages hikers to make sure they are hydrated and well-nourished before heading out for an adventure. Hikers should also bring extra food and water in case their hike takes longer than expected.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 5 at 6:04 p.m., Forest Ranger Curcio responded to a call for a subject with extreme cramping on Pyramid Peak. A total of 10 Rangers responded for the carry-out mission for the 52-year-old from Mount Vernon. Rangers used a wheeled litter to bring the subject down to the Adirondack Mountain Reserve Parking area where an ambulance transported him to the hospital. Resources were clear at 3:41 a.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 5 at 10:36 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with a foot injury on Mount Marcy. Forest Rangers Adams and Jansen reached the 27-year-old from St. James who made it to the Marcy Dam outpost. The hiker complained of hip and foot pain. Rangers helped her back to Adirondak Loj where they waited for the rest of her hiking party. The hiker declined further medical treatment. Resources were clear at 12:30 a.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 6 at 2:09 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with a leg injury near Marcy Dam. Ranger Adams, who had recently finished helping a hiker with a foot injury at Marcy Dam, went back to help the 22-year-old from Merrick. Ranger Adams helped the hiker to Adirondak Loj. Resources were clear at 3:40 a.m.
Town of Westport
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 6 at 2:16 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County 911 about a hiker lost on the Split Rock Mountain trail. Forest Ranger Odell responded to the caller’s coordinates, but the hiker had moved along the trail. Ranger Odell later located the 79-year-old from Schenectady and escorted her to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 4:32 p.m.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 6 at 2:47 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker who had fallen on Allen Mountain, hit his head, and was experiencing nausea. Forest Ranger Snye made contact with the hiking party, who said that despite the injury, the 42-year-old from Delmar was able to walk. At 6:43 p.m., Rangers reached the subject and suspected he had suffered a traumatic brain injury. Rangers helped the hiker walk out to a waiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 9:15 p.m.
Town of Morehouse
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 6 at 8:19 p.m., Hamilton County 911 reported an SOS activation along the Brooktrout Lake trail in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest. The hiker had slipped on a wet rock and injured his knee. At 9:55 p.m., Forest Ranger Miller located the 67-year-old from Rochester, provided warm clothes, built a fire to warm the subject, and requested more Rangers to assist with a carry out. Rangers Nally, Scott, and Thompson responded in a UTV. Rangers splinted the subject’s knee and drove him 3.5 miles to the trailhead where they were met by Inlet EMS who then transported the subject to the hospital. Resources were clear at 2:15 a.m.