New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from the backcountry.

“DEC Forest Rangers’ knowledge of first aid, land navigation and technical rescue techniques are often critical to the success of their missions,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “Search and rescue missions often require Rangers to function in remote wilderness areas from rugged mountainous peaks to white-water rivers, and through vast forest areas from spruce-fir thicket to open hardwoods.”

Recent missions carried out by DEC Forest Rangers in the Adirondacks include:

High Peaks Wilderness
Essex County, Town of Keene

Distressed Hiker: On January 10 at 2:53 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a distressed hiker on the trail to Dial Mountain. The 51-year-old male of Honeoye Falls, NY stated he was unable to continue down the trail but was otherwise uninjured. Essex County 911 provided his location coordinates to Dispatch. Eight DEC Forest Rangers responded, along with New York State Police Aviation who placed a Forest Ranger at the summit of Dial Mountain. Rangers located the hiker uninjured but in need of medical attention. He was hydrated, warmed up and escorted down the mountain. Additional Forest Rangers met the hiker at the trailhead and transported him by snowmobile down Lake Road where he was evaluated by the Keene Valley Fire and Rescue Squad and released at 8:30 p.m. Back Country Rescue assisted in the rescue.

Dix Wilderness
Essex County, Town of Newcomb

Lost Hikers: On January 11 at 9:04 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call requesting assistance for two hikers lost on Santanoni Mountain. A 32-year-old male of Schenectady, NY and a 51-year-old male of Amsterdam NY, said they were following a stream down the Express Trail and believed they were .3 miles from Bradley Pond. Three DEC Forest Rangers responded to the Upper Work with one Forest Ranger proceeding in by snowmobile. Rangers located the hikers a few miles in at 10:45 p.m. in good condition. Rangers transported the party out by snowmobile and arrived at the trailhead at 11:20 p.m.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hiking Safety and Adirondack Trail Information web for more information.