Lost hiker found in the Neversink
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 6:33 pm
Ryan Owens, 22, started a hike from Moon Haw Road around 1:30 pm on Friday in Shokan (near Ashokan Reservoir). He was suppose to be out for just a couple hours. When he didn't return by 5 PM Friday, his mother started to look for him. When she couldn't find him she called for help. He was in an insulted shirt with long sleeves and a bottle of water. He was also with his mother's dog, a yellow lab. Both Ryan and his mother live in Olivebridge.
NYS Forest Rangers searched on foot and NYS Police searched by helicopter. The forest rangers found some traces of him, but couldn't find him. The helicopter didn't see him or the dog. Ryan and the dog found a cave to stay overnight.
Come morning he then started to hike out. He was disoriented and was walking the wrong way. From what we understand he cross the col between Friday Mountain and Balsam Cap. Then walked down to the Neversink Creek, and then out to Denning. He stopped at a house and knocked at the door at 1:30 PM on Saturday afternoon.
There was still snow on the ground, so it was slow going. This is a very rugged route for someone inexperienced. It is about 2000' of vertical climbing to get to the col. You can check out part of the hike here: http://www.catskillmountaineer.com/SMW-bc-friday.html
We are glad he got out before the snowstorm.
NYS Forest Rangers searched on foot and NYS Police searched by helicopter. The forest rangers found some traces of him, but couldn't find him. The helicopter didn't see him or the dog. Ryan and the dog found a cave to stay overnight.
Come morning he then started to hike out. He was disoriented and was walking the wrong way. From what we understand he cross the col between Friday Mountain and Balsam Cap. Then walked down to the Neversink Creek, and then out to Denning. He stopped at a house and knocked at the door at 1:30 PM on Saturday afternoon.
There was still snow on the ground, so it was slow going. This is a very rugged route for someone inexperienced. It is about 2000' of vertical climbing to get to the col. You can check out part of the hike here: http://www.catskillmountaineer.com/SMW-bc-friday.html
We are glad he got out before the snowstorm.