On Friday, January 24, 2025 at about 11:40 am, Greene County requested New York State Forest Ranger assistance to rescue an injured ice climber at Buttermilk Falls in the town of Hunter, Greene County, NY.
After the fall, the climber lowered himself down four more pitches when he encountered a group of ice climbers who called for help.
The climbers provided care for his unstable ankle and wrist injuries until Rangers reached the 35-year-old from New Paltz at about 1:15 pm.
Due to the remote and technical terrain, Rangers called New York State Police (NYSP) Pilots Leeder and Plitsch for a hoist rescue. Rangers packaged the subject in a harness so Ranger Cowart could hoist them into the helicopter.
At about 4:30 pm, the NYSP helicopter arrived at the landing zone where the subject was transferred to Hunter Ambulance. Haines Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Greene County Paramedics also assisted.
Video of the hoist rescue can be found here.
The climber was climbing solo without ropes and did not have a cell phone. DEC encourages climbing in a group so a member of the group can get help in the event of an accident.
Read about past Forest Ranger missions here.
Photos of Buttermilk Falls rescue provided by DEC.
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