DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Search and Rescue Highlights

Forest Ranger Actions for 3/7/16 - 3/13/16

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) 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.

"Across New York, DEC's Forest Rangers' are on the front lines helping people safely enjoy the great outdoors," said Acting DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Their knowledge of first aid, land navigation and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions which take them from remote wilderness areas, with rugged mountainous peaks to white-water rivers, and throughout our vast forested areas statewide."

Recent missions carried out by DEC Forest Rangers include:

Essex County

Town of North Elba
High Peaks Wilderness
Injured hiker: On March 12, 2016 at 3:10 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker on Phelps Mountain reporting an injured 29-year-old male. The hiker was wearing micro spikes, but extreme icy trail conditions lead to a fall. DEC Forest Rangers responded to the scene and were able to splint the injury and assist the hiker out to Marcy Dam. He was taken out by vehicle from Marcy Dam to the South Meadows parking area where he declined further medical assistance. The incident concluded at 7:30 p.m.

Town of Willsboro
Private Land
Lost hikers: On March 13, 2016 at 3:05 p.m., Essex County 911 transferred a call to DEC Ray Brook Dispatch from two lost hikers on Rattlesnake Mountain on private property in Willsboro. The 23-year-old male and 22-year-old female, both from Plattsburgh, NY, reported they had lost the trail after leaving the summit. DEC Forest Rangers responded and located the hikers at the GPS coordinates provided by Essex County 911, which were obtained from their cell phones. They were approximately 100 yards from the trail. The hikers did not have a map, compass or appropriate gear. They were escorted back to their vehicles in good health. The incident concluded at 6:05 p.m.

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