Forest rangers in New York performed a complicated rescue that included moving an injured hiker using ropes near the summit of Hunter Mountain in the Catskills on Sunday. It was one of many rescues performed by rangers recently.
According to New York Department of Environmental Conservation officials, three rangers responded to a call for a hiker with a leg injury near the summit of Hunter Mountain at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. At 4,040 feet, Hunter is the second-highest peak in the Catskill Mountains.
The rangers reached the 20-year-old, stabilized the leg injury, and packaged the hiker into a wheeled litter to transport the hiker up to the summit, where emergency services were waiting.
During the carryout, rangers had to use a steep angle rope rescue to move the hiker through some of the difficult terrain.
When they reached the summit, they transferred care to the Lexington Fire Department. Firefighters drove the subject to the trailhead at the base of the mountain. Friends drove the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 3 a.m.
SOS Activated On Satellite Device
In an incident on Monday, July 20, rangers received an SOS activation from a satellite device at 4:39 p.m. for a hiker who was dizzy and vomiting on the Allen Mountain Trail in Newcomb, New York.
The 77-year-old from Marcy has a history of cardiac issues, so forest rangers determined a hoist mission was the safest and quickest option. New York State Police Aviation crew flew two rangers to the hiker’s location.
One ranger harnessed the subject and the other ranger successfully hoisted the patient into the helicopter. The hiker was then flown to the hospital. Resources were clear at 7 p.m.
Severely Dehydrated Hiker
While on the way to respond to the Allen Mountain rescue, a ranger was rerouted at 5:45 p.m. to a call for a severely dehydrated hiker on the Algonquin Trail in North Elba.
The ranger reached the 67-year-old from Buffalo, provided food and liquids, and escorted them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 7:47 p.m.
Lost Hikers In Five Ponds Wilderness
On Tuesday, July 21, rangers were notified of two hiker off trail in the Five Ponds Wilderness near Olmstead Pond at 11:06 p.m.
Satellite coordinates placed the hikers roughly 2.5 miles from the West Flow off the southern end of Cranberry Lake.
Two rangers joined six members of the Cranberry Lake Fire Department in the fire department’s boat.
Rangers reached the subjects, treated a sore on a foot of one of the 18-year-olds, and provided nourishment. At 4 a.m., they returned to the boat which transported them to the dock at 4:30 a.m.
Teen Medical Emergency In St. Regis Canoe Area
On Thursday, July 23 at 2:26 p.m., forest rangers responded to a call for a 16-year-old going in and out of consciousness in the St. Regis Canoe Area.
Two rangers took ATVs and a canoe via the Fish Pond truck trail to Fish Pond, while two others used chainsaws to clear trees from the trail.
At 5:18 p.m., rangers reached the subject. Members of the teenager’s group placed them in a canoe for transport.
Rangers determined the patient had suffered numerous seizures. They ferried the patient across Fish Pond, ensuring the subject continued breathing.
They met a ranger and a Saranac Lake paramedic who administered medication to slow the onset of the seizures. Resources were clear at 8:12 p.m.
Hiker With Ankle Injury
On Thursday, July 23 at 2:45 p.m., Hamilton County requested forest ranger assistance for a hiker with an ankle injury on the Tenant Creek Falls Trail in the town of Hope.
Members of three local fire departments were providing care for a lower leg fracture.
At 3:40 p.m., rangers arrived and packaged the 74-year-old from New Jersey into a wheeled litter.
Rescuers wheeled the subject to the trailhead. Lake Valley EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:30 p.m.
Dizzy, Lightheaded Hiker
On Saturday, July 25 at 10:15 a.m., two forest rangers responded to a call for a hiker feeling dizzy and lightheaded on the Becker Hollow Trail on Hunter Mountain.
The hiker’s partner indicted the 73-year-old from New York City was nauseous, sweating, and refusing to eat or drink.
When rangers arrived, the subject was improving enough to take electrolyte liquids and some food. Rangers walked slowly with the patient until they reached the trailhead. The hiker refused further medical treatment. Resources were clear at 3:15 p.m.
Man Injured After Falling Off Bridge
On Saturday, July 25 at 1:30 p.m., Saranac Lake Fire Department requested forest ranger assistance for the carryout of a 60-year-old who fell off a bridge near Camp Road in Franklin.
Three rangers responded with Bloomingdale and Saranac Lake Fire Departments. They stabilized the patient who suffered a pelvic injury and a possible broken leg.
Rescuers used a backpack carrier and litter system. Saranac Lake EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4 p.m.
Severely Dehydrated Hiker Near Kaaterskill Falls
On Sunday, July 26 at 2:09 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a severely dehydrated hiker near Kaaterskill Falls. At 2:34 p.m., forest rangers reached the 46-year-old from Northport.
Rangers learned the hiker had only eaten one granola bar the entire day.
Rangers provided a glucose packet and water. The subject walked out on their own and refused further medical attention.
Technical Rope Rescue For Injured Cliff Jumper
On Sunday, July 26 at 5:57 p.m., Wilmington Fire Department requested forest ranger assistance with an injured swimmer in the flume of the West Branch Ausable River in Wilmington.
The 16-year-old from Ithaca suffered head and knee injuries from cliff jumping into the river.
Wilmington Fire Department retrieved the subject out of the water. Rangers assisted with a technical rope rescue for the steep angle raise.
Once successfully raised, Wilmington EMS transported the patient to the hospital.
