3 days ago
DEC Ranger Roundup: Rescues, training highlighted
RAY BROOK — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers responded to several calls last week.
Essex County
Town of North Elba- Wilderness rescue
Forest Ranger Praczkajlo responded to a call for a reportedly deceased hiker on Cascade Mountain at 9 a.m. May 24.
Two hikers had called 911 to report the third member of their hiking party had died.
When the hikers encountered the Cascade Summit Steward, the pair also advised that they were lost.
The steward determined the hikers were in an altered mental state, the third member of their party called and was not injured.
Ranger Praczkajlo escorted the two hikers, who had ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms, to a waiting ambulance and New York State Police unit.
Ranger Praczkajlo escorted the third hiker back to their campsite.
Wilderness Search
Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a group of three hikers on the Marcy Dam truck trail at 10:41 p.m. May 26.
The hikers from Georgia could not get out of the woods because they didn't have adequate light sources.
Ranger Duchene found the hikers and escorted them out of the woods.
Town of Newcomb Training
Twelve new Assistant Forest Rangers attended training at SUNY ESF's Newcomb campus from May 18 to 23.
The 12 AFRs join eight returning AFRs from last summer.
AFRs trained in communications, Leave No TraceTM principles, State land rules and regulations, land navigation, wildland fire and wilderness first aid.
For the spring and summer hiking seasons, 12 AFRs will be stationed in the Adirondacks, five in the Catskills and three in Western New York.
