An almost 18-hour overnight search in deep snow by more than 20 New York State Forest Rangers ended when an overdue hiker was found alive in a remote area of the Adirondack High Peaks.
The rescue effort began at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday when the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Ray Brook dispatch received a call at about 8:45 pm Wednesday from the spouse of hiker reporting that they were overdue in the Dix Range, a rugged and largely trail-less line of five mountains over 4,000 feet.
The 58-year-old from Mechanicville (about 1.5 hours away in Saratoga County) had planned a two-day excursion which began on Tuesday, but was last heard from around 7:15 am Wednesday, some six miles from the trailhead.
The hiker reported making slow progress, having difficulty moving through the deep unbroken snow. There is more than three feet of snow in the Dix Range at lower elevations, and as many as several feet more at higher elevations. A steady snow fell Wednesday afternoon and evening adding 7-10 inches.
Just before 10 pm Wednesday, the hiker’s vehicle was located at the Elk Lake Trailhead in North Hudson, a popular southern entry point into the 275,460-acre High Peaks Wilderness.
Seven rangers searched throughout Wednesday night according to DEC, along with a State Police Aviation helicopter unit which hoisted the rangers into the wilderness area to save time and energy.
Just before 3 pm Thursday, a Forest Rangers located the hiker off the Lillian Brook trail. Rangers said they had mild hypothermia and frostbite.
Several outdoor recreationists have died this winter in the Adirondacks, including a snowshoer in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness last week, a lone hiker with their dog who lost the trail in deep snow at Mount Marcy February 12th, and two skier at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area, one January 24th and the other February 4th.
New York Almanack‘s John Warren reports Adirondack outdoor recreation conditions each Friday morning on North Country Public Radio.
“Recent deaths in the Adirondack back-country and at Whiteface Ski Area are a reminder that winter recreation can be dangerous,” he said this morning.
“At this time of year use extra caution and know your limits. Accidents can happen to even the most experienced outdoors people. Being prepared for the worst means you’ll have the best time.”
Read more about recent Forest Ranger search and rescue missions.
Photo: The Dix Range in early 2025 (source).
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