DEC Forest Rangers Rescue 2 Septuagenarian Hikers

SHANDAKEN, NY — State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers rescued two people in their 70s in the same icy wilderness area on the same day.

Shortly after noon Sunday, Ulster County 911 requested forest ranger assistance with the rescue of a hiker with a lower leg injury at Giant Ledge in the Slide Mountain Wilderness Area.

Four rangers reached a 70-year-old Pennsylvania woman and splinted her lower leg.

They then put the woman in a litter and carried her out a half mile with the assistance of fire personnel from the Big Indian, Claryville and Pine Hill departments.

The woman was taken to the hospital around 4:30 p.m. by Shandaken EMS.

During that rescue, two of the rangers were sent to another injured hiker from the same hiking party but who was close to the trailhead.

The 71-year-old suffered a head injury from a fall and was airlifted to the hospital, officials said.

Trail conditions were icy, the rangers reported, and they needed microspikes during the rescues.

The DEC has tips on how to pack and prepare for a winter hike on its Facebook page.