Town of Newcomb, Essex County: On July 20 at 4:39 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received an SOS activation from a satellite device for a hiker who was dizzy and vomiting on the Allen Mountain Trail. The 77-year-old from Marcy has a history of cardiac issues, so Forest Rangers determined a hoist mission was the safest and quickest option. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation Pilot Sergeant Beck flew Rangers Jansen and Sabo to the hiker’s location. Ranger Jansen harnessed the subject and Ranger Sabo successfully hoisted the patient into the helicopter. NYSP Pilot Beck flew them to the hospital. Resources were clear at 7 p.m.
Town of North Elba, Essex County: On July 20 at 5:45 p.m., while on the way to respond to the Allen Mountain rescue, Forest Ranger Rooney was rerouted to a call for a severely dehydrated hiker on the Algonquin Trail. Ranger Rooney reached the 67-year-old from Buffalo, provided food and liquids, and escorted them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 7:47 p.m.
Algonquin Trail rescue of a dehydrated hiker. NYS DEC photo
Stranded campers
Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County: On July 21 at 5:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of six campers stranded on Lows Lake campsite 27 after a strong storm passed through. Trees fell on the site and damaged their canoes and tents. On the way there, Forest Ranger Quinn had to cut and remove trees from Sabattis Road. At 8:26 p.m., Rangers Quinn and Shea made contact with the campers from Connecticut and Florida. The campers were visibly shaken. Ranger Quinn used a van to drive them to St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, who were staged near the upper dam. Due to the extensive damage, Rangers on the ground and in motorboats checked campsites 20-28. No other campers required evacuation.
Lost hikers
Town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County: On July 21 at 11:06 p.m., St. Lawrence County requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for two hikers off trail in the Five Ponds Wilderness near Olmstead Pond. Satellite coordinates placed the hikers from Delmar and Ravena approximately 2.5 miles from the West Flow off the southern end of Cranberry Lake. Rangers Ellis and Hogan joined six members of the Cranberry Lake Fire Department in the Fire Department’s boat. Rangers reached the subjects, treated a sore on a foot of one of the 18-year-olds, and provided nourishment. At 4 a.m., they returned to the boat which transported them to the dock at 4:30 a.m.
Patient with seizures
Fish Pond rescue of a patient who had seizures. Photo provided by DEC.
Town of Santa Clara, Franklin County: On July 23 at 2:26 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a 16-year-old going in and out of consciousness in the St. Regis Canoe Area. Lieutenant LaPierre and Ranger Bowler took ATVs and a canoe via the Fish Pond truck trail to Fish Pond. Lieutenant Snye and Ranger Lewis brought chainsaws to clear trees from the trail. At 5:18 p.m. Rangers reached the subject from Massachusetts. Members of the teenager’s group placed them in a canoe for transport. Rangers determined the patient had suffered numerous seizures. Rescuers ferried the patient across Fish Pond, ensuring the subject continued breathing. They met Ranger Quinn and a Saranac Lake Paramedic who administered medication to slow the onset of the seizures. Resources were clear at 8:12 p.m.
Injuries
Franklin rescue of an injured patient. Photo provided by DEC.
Town of Hope, Hamilton County: On July 23 at 2:45 p.m., Hamilton County requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with an ankle injury on the Tenant Creek Falls Trail. Hope, Lake Valley, and Northville Fire Departments provided care to a lower leg fracture. At 3:40 p.m., Rangers arrived and packaged the 74-year-old from New Jersey into a wheeled litter. Rescuers wheeled the subject to the trailhead. Lake Valley EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:30 p.m.
Town of Franklin, Franklin County: On July 25 at 1:30 p.m., Saranac Lake Fire Department requested Forest Ranger assistance for the carryout of a 60-year-old who fell off a bridge near Camp Road. Three Rangers responded with Bloomingdale and Saranac Lake Fire Departments. They stabilized the patient who suffered a pelvic injury and a possible broken leg. Rescuers used a backpack carrier and litter system. Saranac Lake EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4 p.m.
Town of Wilmington, Essex County: On July 26 at 5:57 p.m., Wilmington Fire Department requested Forest Ranger assistance with an injured swimmer in the flume of the West Branch Ausable River. The 16-year-old from Ithaca suffered head and knee injuries from cliff jumping into the river. Wilmington Fire Department retrieved the subject out of the water. Rangers assisted with a technical rope rescue for the steep angle raise. Once successfully raised, Wilmington EMS transported the patient to the hospital.
Staying safe
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “Hike Smart NY,” “Adirondack Backcountry,” and “Catskill Backcountry Information” webpages for more information.
If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on State lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911.