Forest Rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a series of rescues for hikers and hunters who had either become injured or lost. Two searches lasted through the overnight, and another did not conclude until after 11 p.m. All of the rescue calls in this period occurred on a Saturday.

One of the rescues also required a helicopter, as a hiker suffered an unstable leg injury between Algonquin and Iroquois peaks, at an elevation of roughly 4,700 feet. The hiker was fortunate that conditions allowed for a helicopter flight, as the location of the injury is amongst the most exposed and unforgiving in the Adirondacks, frequently subject to extreme winds and low visibility.

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Missing hunter found after overnight search

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BIG MOOSE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a missing hunter from a water-access-only camp off Twitchell Lake at 7:20 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. The last contact with the 64-year-old was six hours earlier. Four forest rangers searched overnight with negative results. The following morning, 11 rangers searched surrounding trails and drainages. At 9:42 a.m., they found the subject in good health. The team escorted the subject back to their camp and reunited them with family. Resources were clear at 12:39 p.m.

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Cold, wet and lost in Indian Pass

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NORTH ELBA — Forest rangers responded to a report of a group of lost hikers on the Indian Pass Trail at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. The hikers texted 911 and coordinates placed them near Indian Pass Brook. At 9:35 p.m., rangers located the hikers in good health, but they were cold and wet due to the weather conditions. Rangers escorted the group back to the trailhead and resources were clear at 11:03 p.m.

During this time of year, rangers encourage hikers to prepare for the weather not only at the trailhead, but also at the peak. There are already multiple feet of snow at select locations in the Adirondack High Peaks, according to reports and pictures posted by hikers on social media.

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Overexerted hunter helped

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WARRENSBURG — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hunter with a heart condition who overexerted themselves while dragging a deer down the trail at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. Forest Ranger Kaitlyn Clute and Environmental Conservation Police Officer Jared Newell responded. When they arrived, the Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Company and Warrensburg EMS were already with the 73-year-old from Queensbury. Clute and Newell assisted first responders to get the subject to an awaiting ambulance at the trailhead. Resources were clear at 6 p.m. It’s unclear what the hunter’s post-rescue medical status was.

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Trouble up high

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NORTH ELBA — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an unstable leg injury at the intersection of the trails to Algonquin Peak, Lake Colden and Boundary and Iroquois peaks at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. The junction’s location is extremely remote, approximately six miles from the nearest trailhead. At more than 4,700 feet, the location is on exposed and unforgiving terrain that’s frequently subject to severe weather.

State Police aviation was conducting training at the time. State Police Pilot Hogan responded to assist. Forest Ranger Allison Rooney harnessed the 20-year-old from Ontario and Forest Ranger Hannah Praczkajlo successfully hoisted the patient into the helicopter. Praczkajlo transferred care to Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service once the helicopter landed at the Lake Placid Airport. Resources were clear at 4:10 p.m. Video of the hoist rescue is available at tinyurl.com/2ss2pufx.

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Lost hunter makes it out after night in woods

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TICONDEROGA — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, from the family of a hunter missing since the previous day. The 34-year-old from Ticonderoga spoke with a hunting partner through the night but failed to make it out of the woods. Forest Rangers Charles Kabrehl and Logan Quinn searched the area and found items belonging to the hunter. At 4 p.m., the hunter made it to a home on Canfield Road. The hunter refused medical attention from Rangers but accepted a ride from a friend to the hospital due to cramping from dehydration and exhaustion. Resources were clear at 5 p.m.