While the search for one man continues in the Paul Smiths area, state Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers were involved in numerous search-and-rescue missions across the Adirondacks last week.

Town of Indian Lake

On Monday, July 2, DEC dispatch received a transferred call from Warren County 911 concerning a man suffering from the high temperatures on Snowy Mountain. The man’s hiking partner was keeping him out of the sun and tried to provide fluids, but the man became ill when he tried to drink.

Forest ranger Lt. Julie Harjung dispatched rangers as well as EMS crews from several surrounding towns. Rangers helped rehydrate the subject before beginning as assisted descent. The man was evaluated and treated at the trailhead.

Town of Keene

Shortly after 7 p.m. on Monday, July 2, a group reported that one of their party was overdue after the group had split up on the summit of Big Slide Mountain. Several hiker reported seeing the man near the summit at 3 p.m.

The caretaker of the DEC’s Johns Brook Outpost began hiking up Big Slide while a ranger began hiking from the Garden parking lot. The caretaker located the man just after 10:30 p.m. The man had spent most of the day trying to find the correct way down the mountain and had exhausted himself in the process.

After spending the night at the outpost, the caretaker reported to DEC dispatch that the man was suffering from leg cramps and asked for assistance. Rangers evaluated the subject before turning him over to Keene Valley EMS for transport to the Elizabethtown hospital.

Town of Northampton

During the afternoon of July 4, rangers were called to the DEC campground in Northampton in response to rowdy campers and vehicles entering the campground without paying.

Rangers responded and arrested two people for DWI. The rangers continued to patrol the campground through the rest of the night.

Town of North Elba

Just after 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, three campers called DEC dispatch to report that a bear had driven them from their campsite in the Feldspar area. The campers retrieved their gear with the help of family, and contacted DEC wildlife staffer Ben Simpson, who was busy working another bear incident.

Town of Brighton

On July 5, a passerby reported the location of a car on Slush Pond Road north of Paul Smiths that belongs to a vulnerable adult who has been missing for several weeks. Rangers, environmental conservation officers, state police and search and rescue volunteers began an ongoing wildland search on July 6.

Anyone with information concerning Mr. Waite’s whereabouts should contact the state police at 518-897-2000.

Town of North Elba

On Saturday, July 7, a 32-year-old woman suffered a lower leg injury while hiking Hurricane Mountain with her 4-year-old son.

Five rangers and an assistant ranger responded and located the woman about 2 miles from the state Route 9N trailhead. The rangers evaluated and splinted the injury before carrying the subject out to the trailhead. Keene EMS then transported the subject to a local hospital for treatment.