New York State Forest Rangers recently responded to a 53-year-old Mohonk Preserve rock climber who fell 30 feet; a 66-acre wildfire started by debris burning in Franklin County; three hikers in distress in the Dix Range of the Adirondack High Peaks over just two days; and more. [Read more…] about Climber Falls 30 Feet; 66-Acre Wildfire; Injured, Unprepared Hikers in Dix Range
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Solo Free Climber Rescued After Fall at Buttermilk Falls
On Friday, January 24, 2025 at about 11:40 am, Greene County requested New York State Forest Ranger assistance to rescue an injured ice climber at Buttermilk Falls in the town of Hunter, Greene County, NY.
After the fall, the climber lowered himself down four more pitches when he encountered a group of ice climbers who called for help. [Read more…] about Solo Free Climber Rescued After Fall at Buttermilk Falls
Rangers Rescue Ice Skater, Ice Climber, Unprepared Hikers, Respond to Snowmobile Accident
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Ice Skater, Ice Climber, Unprepared Hikers, Respond to Snowmobile Accident
Petrichor: A Scent of Rocks and Rain
When I hug my son after a day of fall bouldering, his hair smells of the sun-warmed rock we’ve been climbing over. It’s a distinctive odor, evocative of gray ledges and golden light returning after rain, and yet it’s not the rock I’m smelling, but tell-tale traces of life.
People have written about – and appreciated – that odor since ancient times. [Read more…] about Petrichor: A Scent of Rocks and Rain
Forest Rangers Recover Body, Make 13 Rescues of Hikers, Climber, Swimmer, Paddler
New York State Forest Rangers recovered the body of one swimmer, and carried out more than a dozen rescue missions between July 3rd and July 8th around Upstate New York, including one climber, a swimmer and a paddler. What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of those recent missions. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Body, Make 13 Rescues of Hikers, Climber, Swimmer, Paddler
73-Year-Old Ice Climber Injured In High Peaks
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. [Read more…] about 73-Year-Old Ice Climber Injured In High Peaks
Rescue Crews Recover Bodies Upstate, Including Crane Mountain Climber
Backcountry rescue crews had a busy week last week when they responded to reports of people missing in Otsego and St. Lawrence County and a medical emergency in Warren County, NY. The bodies of three people were recovered, including an ice climber who suffered a heart attack at Crane Mountain in the Adirondacks. [Read more…] about Rescue Crews Recover Bodies Upstate, Including Crane Mountain Climber
Injured Ice Climber Rescued in the Adirondacks
On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at about 9:20 am, Ray Brook Dispatch assigned seven New York State Forest Rangers to respond to a call for a seriously injured ice climber at the Pitchoff Mountain ice climbing area off Route 73 in the Adirondacks. [Read more…] about Injured Ice Climber Rescued in the Adirondacks
What’s A Durable Hiking Surface in the Backcountry?
When hiking in the backcountry, we should always set out with the goal of minimizing the impact of our travels. When hiking, skiing, or approaching a climb, this means aiming to travel on the most durable surface available. [Read more…] about What’s A Durable Hiking Surface in the Backcountry?
Cliffs Host Varied Flora and Fauna
On a recent hike up Eagle Mountain in Milton, Vermont, we climbed to a ledge overlooking Lake Champlain. Turkey vultures soared overhead, tilting back and forth on the breeze. A sheer cliff dropped to the forest below us, a lush variety of plants clinging to its face. Cliffs are defined as areas of exposed bedrock with a slope greater than 60 degrees. We tend to think of cliffs as solely geological features. But they also host distinct natural communities of plants and animals. [Read more…] about Cliffs Host Varied Flora and Fauna
Climber Rescued After 40-Foot Fall At Adirondack ‘Trap Dike’
On August 9th at about 12:40 pm, Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker who fell approximately 40 feet off the highest waterfall in the Trap Dike on Mount Colden in the town of Keene, Essex County, part of the Adirondack High Peaks. [Read more…] about Climber Rescued After 40-Foot Fall At Adirondack ‘Trap Dike’
9 Rescued From Same Location During High Waters In The Catskills
New York State Forest Rangers responded to multiple reports of subjects stranded during high waters created by flash flooding in Hamlet of Haines Falls, town of Hunter in Greene County in the Catskills last week. [Read more…] about 9 Rescued From Same Location During High Waters In The Catskills
Sharing Cliffs with Peregrine Falcons
The stunning cliffs of the Adirondacks are home to billion-year-old rocks, a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts, and a fragile but growing population of the endangered peregrine falcon. For Adirondack rock climbers, this means sharing cliffs with the birds that build their nests high on a wall. [Read more…] about Sharing Cliffs with Peregrine Falcons
Rangers Rescue Unprepared Climber at Colden Trap Dike
On May 29 at 5:30 pm, Ray Brook Dispatch requested New York State Forest Ranger assistance with a solo free climber stranded on the Trap Dike slide on 4,715-foot Mount Colden in the Adirondack High Peaks in the town of Keene, Essex County. [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Unprepared Climber at Colden Trap Dike
Fallen Rock Climber Rescued In The Adirondacks; Unprepared Hikers Located
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Fallen Rock Climber Rescued In The Adirondacks; Unprepared Hikers Located
NYC Man Rescued After 50-Foot Fall Into Crevice At State Park
A 54-year old New York City man was rescued after falling into a deep crevice in a New York State Park, according to Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about NYC Man Rescued After 50-Foot Fall Into Crevice At State Park
Forest Rangers Make Rescues of Ill-Prepared, Injured Hikers, Climbers
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Make Rescues of Ill-Prepared, Injured Hikers, Climbers
Climber Falls 50′, Alcohol Poisoning, More Keep Rangers Busy
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Climber Falls 50′, Alcohol Poisoning, More Keep Rangers Busy
Catskills Ice Climber Rescued By Forest Rangers, First Responders
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Catskills Ice Climber Rescued By Forest Rangers, First Responders
Marcy’s Trap Dike: Adirondack Climbing Adventures
I often get in a slight mental funk a few days before a climbing trip into Panther Gorge in the Adirondacks. As much as I love the outings and head into the remote chasm to relax, the preceding days are often filled with restless nights and evenings spent studying photos or contemplating the logistics of the day.
The more uncertain the target, the louder the background buzz of thoughts. The flurry of thoughts was almost deafening before this trip since I knew the target was difficult and since I’d made multiple attempts over the years. [Read more…] about Marcy’s Trap Dike: Adirondack Climbing Adventures