Forest Rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a pair of calls in the Adirondacks over the past couple of weeks. One call involved an injured hiker who was ultimately able to make it out of the woods on his own and did not require further medical attention from rangers, and the other involved a lost fisherman, who was found dehydrated and hungry after several hours of being missing, but was otherwise uninjured.

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Lost at fishing event

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MOREHOUSE — On May 17, during DEC’s Trek for Trout event, one of the participants failed to meet his planned 3 p.m. return time. Forest Rangers found the subject’s vehicle at the trailhead and Forest Ranger David Nally began searching along the planned route. Forest Ranger Michael Thompson searched in the drainage to the northeast of Bochen Lake that feeds Feullard Valley. At 7:30 p.m., Nally established voice contact with the subject near Feullard Valley. The 50-year-old from Barneveld was dehydrated and hungry but not injured. Nally guided him out and drove him to his vehicle. Resources were clear at 9:30 p.m.

The Trek for Trout event supports brook trout conservation. DEC worked with Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Trout Power, Native Fish Coalition, Paul Smith’s College and SUNY ESF to post signs at hundreds of brook trout ponds as part of a citizen science initiative to collect angler data and protect these fisheries. Forest Rangers were stationed at each hub to provided assistance and directions to participants.

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Hiker faints on Giant Mountain

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KEENE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the daughter of a man who tripped and fell on Giant Mountain, injuring his knee and shoulder at 4:36 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. The caller indicated the 55-year-old from New Hampshire also fainted from the sight of blood. After regaining consciousness, his daughter gave him water and snack bars. At 5:36 p.m., Forest Ranger Robert Praczkajlo met the hiking party on the trail, performed a medical assessment and determined the hiker was well enough to continue hiking back to the trailhead. The hiker refused further medical attention.