Forest Rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a variety of calls throughout the Adirondacks, including making contact with an overdue pair of hikers at 2:45 a.m., a severely dehydrated hiker who was able to continue on, despite vomiting, to meet rangers and a severe leg injury that required a splint before evacuation.

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Overdue hikers prompt graveyard shift search

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KEENE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from someone concerned about his wife and son, who were overdue from a hike up Nippletop Mountain at 12:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. At 2:45 a.m., Forest Ranger Nicole DuChene located the 54 and 19-year-olds from LeRoy on the Lake Road, which provides trail access to Nippletop and numerous surrounding mountains.

DuChene transported them back to their vehicle. Rangers encourage hikers to inform a friend or loved one of their anticipated hiking plans so they can call for assistance if the hiker becomes overdue. In this case, planning ahead helped ensure the safe location and return of the hikers.

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Lost hiker found on steep ledge

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JOHNSBURG — Hamilton County 911 alerted Ray Brook Dispatch about a dropped call from a hiker lost on Crane Mountain with their dog at 3:50 p.m. on Friday, June 13. Forest Rangers started linear searches of the trails and area around Crane Mountain Pond. Forest Ranger Nicholas Caswell located some tracks and heard a dog barking.

Navigating the steep terrain, Caswell made voice contact with the 42-year-old hiker from Queensbury. The subject and their dog were stuck on a ledge, mid-slope, on the mountain. Forest rangers worked down to the hiker and assisted them back to the trail. The hiker and dog were in good health. Resources were clear by 9 p.m.

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Leg splint on Prospect Mountain

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LAKE GEORGE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker who had suffered a leg injury on Prospect Mountain at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13. Forest Rangers, an Environmental Conservation Police Officer and DEC Operations staff hiked to the patient with a wheeled litter and other equipment. Rangers splinted the hiker’s leg injury and packaged the 34-year-old from Gansevoort for evacuation down the trail using the wheeled litter with a belay. Family members transported the subject to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4:30 p.m.

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Dehydrated hiker helped by rangers

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NORTH ELBA — Forest Rangers Charles Foutch and Allison Rooney responded to a call for a dehydrated hiker near the summit of Mount Haystack at 3:27 p.m. on Thursday, June 12. Despite vomiting, the hiker continued the planned route up and over the shoulder of Mount Marcy and down to Marcy Dam, while Rangers responded. When Rangers reached the hiker, they provided water, electrolytes and food. Rangers assisted them out to the Adirondak Loj trailhead. Resources were clear at 7:22 p.m.

At 4,960 feet, Mount Haystack is the third-tallest mountain in the state. Its 360-degree summit views make it a popular destination, though it is considered a difficult hike due to steep terrain and long mileage. Though there are a number of approaches to its summit, none have a round-trip shorter than 16 miles from the road access point. Long hikes can increase the risk of dehydration, especially if one is not prepared for the mileage. Forest rangers encourage hikers to bring enough food and water for the entirety of their planned hike, and longer in case something goes wrong. Planning ahead can help hikers avoid dehydration along the trail.

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Injured hiker driven to hospital

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CLIFTON — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call regarding an overdue hiker on the Dead Creek trail in Cranberry Lake Wild Forest at 12:53 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10. Forest Ranger Will Benzel confirmed the subject’s vehicle was still in the parking lot. At 1:20 p.m., Benzel located the 41-year-old from Webster as the subject was attempting to hike back down the trail. The hiker was shivering, nauseated, thirsty and tired. The hiker showed signs of mild hypothermia, dehydration and possible fall-related injuries.

Forest Rangers Stephen Ellis and Nathan Shea travelled by boat to the subject’s location. Rangers warmed the patient by building a campfire and providing warm fluids before transporting the hiker by boat to the trailhead parking lot. Benzel drove the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:15 p.m. It’s unclear what the extent of the subject’s injuries were or what their post-rescue treatment consisted of.