New York State Forest Rangers recently responded to a 53-year-old Mohonk Preserve rock climber who fell 30 feet; a 66-acre wildfire started by debris burning in Franklin County; three hikers in distress in the Dix Range of the Adirondack High Peaks over just two days; and more.
Town of Gardiner, Ulster County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 21 at 3:50 p.m., Ulster County 911 reported a climber fell 30 feet while climbing the Arrow Wall in Mohonk Preserve. Forest Ranger Rusher was on the property with Mohonk Park Rangers at the time. They responded with New Paltz Rescue Squad, Gardiner Fire Department, and New York State Police.
The 53-year-old from Massachusetts suffered injuries to the spine and pelvis. Rescuers determined a rope rescue was the safest way to evacuate the subject. It was a 40-degree slope 100 feet above the carriage road and continued down rocky steps for another 150 feet.
After the carryout, a Mohonk Park Ranger drove the climber to an ambulance that transported them to MidHudson Regional Hospital. Resources were clear at 5:40 p.m.
Town of Bombay, Franklin County
Wildland Fire: On May 22 at 1:30 p.m., Franklin County requested Forest Ranger assistance for a wildland fire on County Route 2. Rangers and the Bombay, Dickenson, Fort Covington, and Hogansburg Fire Departments responded. There were nearly 20 debris piles burning more than 66 acres.
With the help of water-filled drainage ditches, by 8:55 p.m. fire crews contained the fire. DEC Operations staff used an excavator, while fire crews used ATVs and portable pumps to continue breaking up and putting out hot spots. The fire was caused by burning a large debris pile of stumps.
Town of Caroga, Fulton County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 22 at 2 p.m., Fulton County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who suffered a lower leg injury at the Kane Mountain fire tower. Rangers Hamm and O’Connell responded with St. Johnsville EMS and the Caroga Lake Fire Department. Rescuers used a wheeled litter to transport the 28-year-old to the trailhead. The subject then drove to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4:44 p.m.
Town of North Hudson, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 23 between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received two separate and unrelated reports of overdue hikers on Dix Mountain. The hikers were last heard from at the peak at 6 and 7 p.m. respectively.
They were both heading back to the Elk Lake trailhead. One hiker was moving slowly due to an injured ankle. At 11:30 p.m., Forest Rangers met the uninjured hiker at the Elk Lake trailhead. Rangers reached the trailhead with the injured hiker at 4:45 am.
Town of North Hudson, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 24 at 3 p.m., three Forest Rangers responded to a report of a hiker experiencing muscle cramps and exhaustion on the Beckhorn trail in the Dix Mountain Range.
The hiker was with four other individuals who were sheltering in place with emergency blankets. When they started feeling hypothermic, some made their way down the trail. Rangers assisted the rest to the Elk Lake trailhead. Resources were clear at 9:55 p.m.
Read more about recent NYS Forest Ranger missions in New York State.
Photo of Mohonk Preserve climber rescue provided by DEC.
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