WINTER CONDITIONS: Plan ahead, check the weather to know what winter conditions to expect. Snowshoes, crampons, or microspikes may be needed in addition to insulated boots. DEC’s website has tips for safe winter hiking.
The following reports of recent searches and rescues carried out by Forest Rangers and other first responders around New York State were prepared by DEC:
Town of Hadley, Saratoga County
Wilderness Rescue: On November 28 at 12:54 p.m., Forest Rangers Carabetta and Clute responded to a call for a hiker with a wrist injury on Hadley Mountain. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Hadley-Luzerne Fire Department, and Rockwell Falls Emergency Medical Services (EMS) also responded.
By 2:40 p.m., rescuers reached the 55-year-old from Maryland approximately 0.75 miles up the trail. The hiker slipped and fell on their mountain descent. Rangers provided microspikes and trekking poles due to the icy trail conditions. They reached the trailhead at 3 p.m. Rockwell Falls EMS transported the patient to the hospital.
Town of Olive, Ulster County
Wilderness Rescue: On November 29 at 5:25 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Horn about a subject lost near the summit of Samuel’s Point, a trailless peak in the Slide Mountain Wilderness. The 57-year-old from New York City was visiting a friend who lives near the base of the peak.
The hiker bushwhacked almost to the summit before dark but became disoriented in the thick vegetation. The subject was relying on a cell phone for maps, but lost cellular connection. The subject used the satellite messenger feature on the phone to message a friend in New York City to call 911.
Rangers Franceschina and Horn obtained coordinates and reached the subject at 7:45 p.m. The Rangers provided food and warm clothes and assisted the hiker out to the patrol vehicles by 9 p.m.
Town of Nassau, Rensselaer County
Wilderness Recovery: On November 29 at 6 p.m., Forest Ranger Jackson joined Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Deputies and New York State Police in the search for a missing hunter on private property off Gardiner Hill Road.
Family members expected the 71-year-old from Averill Park home well before dark. He was known to hunt the property from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Ranger Jackson found tracks in the snow leading to the hunter, who was found deceased. Hoags Corners Fire Department assisted with the carry out. Resources were clear at 9 p.m.
Town of Bolton, Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On November 29 at 7:55 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Warren County 911 about a hiker with chest pains approximately 1.5 miles in from the Clay Meadow trailhead in the Lake George Wild Forest.
Four Forest Rangers and the Bolton Fire Department reached the 56-year-old from Gansevoort, made a health assessment, and determined a carry out was necessary. Rescuers used a wheeled litter to transport the hiker to the trailhead where they turned over care to Bolton EMS. Resources were clear at 10:10 p.m.
Read The Latest Search and Rescue Reports
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.
Read more about Outdoor Recreation, the Adirondacks, the Catskills, or camping, hiking, trails, or winter sports.
Photo of Clay Meadow rescue in Lake George Wild Forest provided by DEC.
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