On Tuesday, February 20th at about 1:20 pm, Ray Brook Dispatch received a call to assist an ice climber who fell while climbing Pitchoff Mountain in the Adirondacks.
The 73-year-old from Massachusetts, who injured his hip, was by then located on the Jackrabbit Ski Trail off Old Mountain Road.
Using a rope system, seven Forest Rangers lowered the patient and stabilized him in a rescue toboggan.
Rangers attached the toboggan to a snowmobile and rode the patient to a Lake Placid ambulance waiting at the trailhead.
Though not an official “High Peak,” 3,600-foot Pitchoff Mountain is located in the Adirondack High Peaks region, opposite Cascade Mountain on Route 73, west of Keene Valley in Essex County, NY.
It’s a very popular climbing area, home to some 45 rock climbing routes (though fewer ice routes).
The routes range from relatively easy (for those with experience) to technically very difficult.
Read past Forest Ranger search and rescue reports here.
Photos of rescue provided by DEC.
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