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Entries from March 23rd, 2015

Adirondack Forest Ranger Search and Rescue Highlights: 3/16-3/22/15

March 23rd, 2015 · No Comments · Adirondack News

NYSDEC LogoNew 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:

Essex County
Mt. Marcy – Town of Keene
Hiker Rescue: DEC Forest Rangers, Environmental Conservation Officers and State Police worked together on Sunday (3/22/15) in extreme weather conditions to successfully rescue a mother and her two sons on Mt. Marcy in Essex County. Governor Cuomo recognized the search and rescue teams for the great work. See Governor’s full news release.

Dix Mountain Wilderness – Town of North Hudson
Overdue Hikers: On March 16, 2015 at 10:33 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call reporting an overdue hiking party. The 35-year-old man from Cross River, NY and the 35-year-old woman from Pattersonville, NY started out from the Clear Pond Gate in Keene at 6:08 a.m. to hike Macomb, South Six, Grace Peak, Hough and Dix mountains. At 5 p.m., the hiking party texted the caller stating they had completed three of the five peaks but had not heard from the party since. One DEC Forest Ranger, responding on snowmobile, located the couple at 12:30 a.m. They had to break trail while descending Dix, which slowed them down. The Ranger found the couple in good health and provided them a ride back to their vehicle. No medical attention was required and they were released. The incident concluded at 1:15 a.m.

Franklin County
Saranac Lake Wild Forest – Town of Harrietstown
Lost snowshoer: On March 20, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call reporting a 78-year-old man from Saranac Lake, NY was overdue from returning from an afternoon hike on a herd path going to Lower Saranac Lake. The hiking party began its snowshoe at 1:00 p.m. and the group was separated at approximately 2:30 p.m. while attempting to go around a blowdown. Three members of the group returned to their vehicles at 5:00 p.m. They called for assistance after realizing the missing member had not returned to his vehicle. The first DEC Forest Ranger arrived on scene at 6:35 p.m. Three additional Rangers also responded; two were already on snowmobile patrol in the area. Rangers located the lost snowshoer who was exhausted but otherwise in good condition. The batteries for his GPS device had died leaving him unable to navigate back to his car. Rangers returned him to his vehicle at 7:30 p.m.

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

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Adirondack Forest Ranger Search And Rescue Highlights: 3/2-3/8/15

March 10th, 2015 · No Comments · Adirondack News

NYSDEC LogoNew 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:

Essex County
High Peaks Wilderness – Town of Keene
Injured hiker: On March 8, 2015 at 12:40 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the hiking companion of an injured man on Lower Wolfjaw. The 32-year-old Schenectady man slipped while descending the mountain, resulting in an injury to his ankle that left him unable to walk. DEC Forest Rangers responded and reached the injured man at 4:11 p.m. They put a splint around his ankle and transported him to the Lower Wolfjaw lean-to at approximately 7:00 p.m. to meet additional DEC Forest Rangers on snowmobiles. The Rangers placed the injured man on a litter and towed him by snowmobile through the south side of John’s Brook to Smith Way. At Smith Way, Keene Valley Fire and Rescue Ambulance met the party and transported the injured man to Elizabethtown Hospital for treatment at 9:16 p.m. The incident concluded at 10:20 p.m. Fifteen DEC Forest Rangers assisted in the rescue.

Franklin County
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest – Town of Harrieststown
Lost snowshoer: On March 7, 2015 at 8:00 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a snowshoer reporting he was lost on a trail near Saranac Inn. The 27-year-old man from Saranac Lake, NY did not have a map or compass. He found his way to the railroad tracks but could not determine which direction led back to his vehicle. One DEC Forest Ranger responded via snowmobile, locating the lost man and returning him to his vehicle at 9:10 p.m. in good condition.

St. Lawrence County
Grass River Conservation Easement – Town of Colton
Injured snowmobiler: On March 7, 2015 at 10:00 p.m., Franklin County 911 informed DEC Ray Brook Dispatch of a snowmobile accident in the Town of Colton, St. Lawrence County. The accident happened on the 7A trail about 6 miles south of the snowplow turnaround on Massawepie Rd. One DEC Forest Ranger and the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad responded. A 49-year-old man from Flanders, NY was with two friends headed to the Long Lake area when his snowmobile veered off the west side of the trail, traveled down an 8-foot embankment and hit a small spruce tree. A member of the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad was on scene tending to the injured man when a DEC Forest Ranger arrived. They placed him on a backboard and covered him with blankets and heat pads. A trail groomer responded to the scene to evacuate the man, who was brought to an awaiting ambulance in the Town of Conifer at about 2 a.m. and then transported to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. Crews cleared the incident by 2:30 a.m.

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

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Adirondack Forest Ranger Search and Rescue Highlights: 2/23-3/1/15

March 3rd, 2015 · No Comments · Adirondack News

NYSDEC LogoNew 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:

Essex County

High Peaks Wilderness – Town of North Elba
Injured hiker: On March 1, 2015 at 12:34 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about an injured hiker on Cliff Mountain. A 20-year-old woman from North Grandby, CT fell and slid approximately 25 feet before hitting a tree. A DEC Forest Ranger and the Lake Colden Outpost Interior Caretaker responded. They reached the hiker at 2:15 p.m. and brought her to the Lake Colden Outpost to warm up. At 3:43 p.m., additional Rangers and NYSP Aviation prepared and removed the injured woman by helicopter. She was transported to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake for treatment. The incident concluded at 4:15 p.m.

High Peaks Wilderness – Town of North Elba
Injured skier: On March 1, 2015 at 4:22 p.m., after clearing a previous search, two DEC Forest Rangers encountered an injured skier south of Marcy Dam. They determined the 30-year-old woman from New Hartford, NY could not travel out on her own. The Rangers brought her out via snowmobile and took her to ADK Loj where she said she would seek medical attention on her own. The incident concluded at 5:45 p.m.

Herkimer County

Independence River Wild Forest – Town of Webb
Injured snowmobiler: On February 27, 2015 at 11:23 a.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received word of a snowmobile accident on Trail #1. The rider, a 48-year-old man from Paramus, NJ was having shoulder and lower leg pain. Big Moose EMS responded to the scene. They transported the man to the trailhead where he was taken by ambulance to the Lewis County Medical Center.

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

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