Rangers Extract 60-Year-Old Hiker From Icy Adirondack Ledge
The Canadian hiker stood motionless for seven hours after losing his crampons on a route rated as a fourth-class climb.
By Luca Stewart ·
Rescuers pulled a 60-year-old Canadian hiker from a frozen ledge in the Adirondack Mountains after he stood in the same position for seven hours. The incident occurred on October 21 along the Mount Colden Trap Dike in Keene, New York.
The hiker activated an emergency satellite beacon around 6:30 p.m. after his crampons fell off. These traction spikes attach to winter boots and provide grip on ice. Without the gear, the climber could not move safely up or down the steep terrain. He remained stationary until rescue teams arrived near 1:00 a.m.
Forest Ranger Jenna Curcio described the danger of securing the man on the icy surface. "When I got out to him and was trying just to get him secured to me, the thought went through my mind: if we both slip before I have him clipped in and on my tether, he’s dead. He’s like, gone," Curcio said.
State forest rangers identified the Trap Dike route as a fourth-class mountaineering climb. Officials noted that this specific path has claimed multiple lives over the years. The classification indicates a level of technical difficulty that requires specific skills and equipment for safe passage.
Rangers advised outdoor enthusiasts to research mountain routes thoroughly before entering steep backcountry terrain. They emphasized the need to carry proper gear suitable for the conditions. The hiker was rescued without reported injuries.
Source: WVUE-DT
