On Saturday, March 2nd, Forest Rangers were called to two separate rescues in the Johns Brook Valley area of the Adirondack High Peaks in the town of Keene, Essex County.
The two rescues were handled as one incident by Forest Ranger Praczkajlo, who assigned 30 Rangers to respond due to their remote locations and difficult extractions during winter conditions.
A media release from DEC said the first call was at 2:45 pm for a 61-year-old hiker from Pittsford who had suffered a lower leg injury on an icy trail on the west side of Saddleback Mountain approximately nine miles from the trailhead. Ranger Lewis served as the lead Ranger for this incident.
About 25 minutes after the first incident began with a call for Forest Rangers, at 4:10 pm, the second call came in for a 38-year-old from Maryland who had injured his leg while sliding down the icy trail off Basin Mountain approximately nine miles from the trailhead. Ranger O’Connor served as lead Ranger for this incident.
The weather conditions prevented aviation-supported hoist rescues, so Rangers prepared for long and icy carry outs.
Ranger O’Connor’s team reached their subject at 8:15 pm, splinted his leg, and wrapped him in hypowrap to keep him warm during the carry out. Responding Rangers started with a sled system at 12:25 am, before transitioning to a four-person backpack system.
Ranger Lewis’ team reached their rescue location at 8:44 pm. Their subject suffered a shoulder injury in addition to a leg injury.
Due to the steep conditions, Ranger Lewis’ team set up a high-angle rope system to get the subject to the summit from the westside trail.
At 1:58 am, the carry team began moving the subject in a sled system down to the Ore Brook trail.
At 7:30 am, Ranger O’Connor’s team reached the Johns Brook Outpost and prepared the subject for ATV transport to Smiths Road.
At the same time, Ranger Lewis’ team reached Ore Brook and transitioned to a backpack carry system. By 10:45 am, Rangers reached Smiths Road and transferred the patient to Keene Fire Department.
All Rangers were clear at 12:30 pm according to DEC.
The day before,on March 1 at 7:30 pm, Forest Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo responded to a call for a hiker who had slid down Wright Peak in the High peaks and lacerated his leg.
The 43-year-old from New Jersey applied a makeshift tourniquet so he could continue hiking down the mountain with his hiking partner. Rangers reached the pair and assisted them to a waiting ambulance.
Read past Forest Ranger search and rescue reports here.
Photos, from above, provided by DEC: The Saddleback rescue; and the rescue at Basin Mountain.
