Long Island hiker treated for hypothermia in Hunter

HUNTER, N.Y. (NEWS10)--  Each week the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) releases the “Forest Rangers Week in Review.” For the week of Nov. 22 to 30, forest rangers in Greene County rescued an 18-year-old from Long Island, who was hiking the Indian Head trail.

According to the DEC, Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.

On Nov. 30 at 3 p.m., a parent called Ray Brook Dispatch reported their son was hiking the Indian Head trail and they were concerned. Forest Ranger Seamus Peterson called the 18-year-old and convinced him to turn back towards the trailhead and not continue hiking.

During the call, Peterson reported the hiker was tired, wet, cold and hiking a snow-covered trail. When Rangers Peterson and Katherine Fox located him, his pants were reportedly frozen to his legs.

According to the DEC, the hiker was hiking the trail without snowshoes, did not have winter hiking boots, hat or gloves, despite the three feet of snow in areas of the trail. The rangers treated him for mild hypothermia and assisted him back to the trailhead.

Resources for the call were clear at 5:35 p.m. The DEC reminds hikers to check trail and weather conditions before heading out. For more information on winter hiking safety essentials, visit the DEC's website.

If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911.