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Entries from June 24th, 2015

Adirondack Forest Ranger Search and Rescue Highlights: 6/15-6/21/15

June 24th, 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
Town of Wilmington – Wilmington Wild Forest
Distressed Hiker: On June 17, 2015 at 5:00 p.m., Essex County 911 notified DEC Ray Brook Dispatch of a 51-year-old man from Brooklyn, MI, conscious but unable to get out of the AuSable River at the Wilmington Flume. One DEC Forest Ranger responded along with Wilmington Fire Department and EMS Personnel. The man managed to get out of the water by the time they arrived, but was trapped on a ledge approximately 40 feet downstream and unable to return to the shoreline. The Forest Ranger directed setup of a belay line for lowering and hauling up the rescuer and hiker. The man had been hiking on a herd path, taking photos, when he leaned around a tree and slipped and fell into the AuSable River. Emergency crews transported him to Adirondack Medical Center in Lake Placid for evaluation at 5:55 p.m.

Town of Wilmington – McKenzie Mountain Wilderness
Lost Hikers On June 20, 2015 at 7:04 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two female hikers lost on a trail on Whiteface Mountain. The 25-year-old woman from Brooklyn and 26-year-old woman from Ballston Falls, NY lost the trail while returning to Connery Pond from Whiteface Landing. Neither hiker carried a map, compass or light. Dispatch advised the hikers to call 911 to obtain GPS coordinates from their cell phones. A DEC Forest Ranger responded by boat, arriving at Whiteface Landing at 8:14 p.m. During the course of this search, dispatch asked the women to contact 911 two additional times for coordinates, but the coordinates were incorrect. The Forest Ranger eventually made verbal contact with the hikers and located them in good condition at 11:25 p.m. The Ranger escorted them back to Whiteface Landing where they traveled by boat to the Lake Placid marina. The Ranger then gave them a ride back to their vehicle.

Herkimer County
Town of Webb – Fulton Chain Wild Forest
Lost Hiker: On June 21, 2015 at 3:45 p.m., a DEC Forest Ranger on patrol in the Fulton Chain Wild Forest learned of a female hiker lost on Bald Mountain. The 36-year-old female from Utica, NY called Herkimer County 911 reporting she had become disoriented ¼ mile from the top and lost the trail. Additional Forest Rangers responded. They located the women in good condition shortly after arriving. The incident concluded at 5:50 p.m.

Washington County
Town of Fort Ann – Lake George Wild Forest
Distressed Hiker: On June 20, 2015 at 5:20 p.m., Washington County 911 notified DEC Ray Brook Dispatch of a female hiker in medical distress on Buck Mountain. The 51-year-old woman from Wilton, NY could not continue the hike. DEC Forest Rangers responded with New York State Police Aviation to the summit at 8:00 p.m. They hoisted the woman out at 8:13 p.m. and turned her over to North Queensbury EMS at 8:23 p.m. Forest Rangers escorted the remaining member of the hiking party to the trailhead. All units were clear at 10:06 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 6/10- 6/13/15

June 16th, 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
McKenzie Mountain Wilderness – Town of Wilmington

Distressed hiker: On June 10, 2015 at 4:15 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a 37-year-old man from Hollywood, FL saying that he and his dog had become exhausted and could not continue to the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Ray Brook Dispatch advised him to call 911 to obtain his GPS coordinates. A DEC Forest Ranger responded with an ATV to the Connery Pond Trail and continued to Whiteface Landing where he talked to the man by phone. The Ranger met up with the hiker just south of the Whiteface lean-to and provided him with food and water before assisting him back to Whiteface Landing. The Forest Ranger then gave the man and his dog a ride back to the trailhead by ATV. The incident concluded at 8:00 p.m.

Hamilton County
Moose River Plains Wild Forest – Town of Indian Lake

Injured cyclists: On June 13, 2015 DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received reports of two bicycle accidents on Moose River Plains Road during the Adirondack Black Fly Challenge Bicycle Race. The first accident, which happened at 1:50 p.m., involved a 60-year-old man from Delmar, NY who was participating in the race. A DEC Forest Ranger responded and provided basic first aid until the Indian Lake EMS arrived on scene. Indian Lake EMS transported the man to a local medical facility. At 2:05 p.m., a 60-year-old male participant from New Hartford also crashed on Moose River Plains Road. A DEC Forest Ranger responded and provided basic first aid until the Inlet EMS arrived on scene and transported to the injured man to a local medical facility.

Washington County
Lake George Wild Forest – Town of Fort Ann

Distressed hiker: On June 11, 2105 at 3:47 p.m., Warren County 911 contacted DEC Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a 23-year-old woman from Wilton in medical distress on Buck Mountain. The hiking party was approximately 2 ½ miles from the Pilot Knob trailhead. Four DEC Forest Rangers responded along with the Pilot Knob and North Queensbury Fire Departments and EMS. Forest Rangers reached the woman at 4:50 p.m. Due to her health condition, New York State Police Aviation responded and transported her to the North Queensbury Fire Department at 6:30 p.m. From there, an ambulance transported her to Glens Falls Hospital.

Lake George Wild Forest – Town of Fort Ann

Injured emergency responders: On June 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., an ATV overturned on the Buck Mountain trail injuring two members of the North Queensbury Fire Department. The department members; a 75-year-old man from Boydton, VA and a 64-year-old man from Lake George, had been assisting in an earlier rescue. A carryout was necessary due to the extent of one of the injuries. DEC Forest Rangers and Fire Department members carried the more injured man to the trailhead and Lake George EMS transported him to Glens Falls Hospital at 9:25 p.m. The other man walked out on his own.

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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Songs to Listen to During the Manhunt

June 12th, 2015 · 1 Comment · Adirondack Life

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