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SAR on Kaaterskill Mtn Range

Report or discuss current events in the Catskill Mountains.
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dave
Posts: 712
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Acra New York

SAR on Kaaterskill Mtn Range

Unread post by dave »

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, four local fire departments performed a Search and Rescue mission between Gillespie Road and Kaaterskill High Peak. It was reported that a 62-year-old man broke his ankle deep in the woods. It was reported that he was off the North Trail. SAR wanted to call in a helicopter to extract the man, but they were too far into the woods without a safe landing site. The SAR lasted after dark.

Update: We have now learned that he fell while descending the North Access Trail. Some of the trails in the Catskills are ice covered. He slipped on the steep section and slide down the steep chute into a tree. He was wearing cramp-ons. He was able to call 911 from the North access trail. NYS DEC Forest Rangers, EMT, Fire departments, arrived at the accident scene around 7 PM and assisted him down the mountain. He exited the woods to a waiting ambulance around 1:30 AM in the morning. The injury will require surgery and he will be off the trails for 2-3 months. He had hiked from Gillespie Road up the west access trail with little difficulty. Get well soon!

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Our guess is that he may have broke his ankle near the 3250 ledge in the the col between RT and KHP. Both places have rocky sections where you can step into a hole and break your ankle.
mtnclimber
Posts: 496
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:46 pm

Re: SAR on Kaaterskill Mtn Range

Unread post by mtnclimber »

Not a good place to be hiking alone and getting hurt. Hope that he is okay.
bikenhike
Posts: 134
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 5:53 pm

Re: SAR on Kaaterskill Mtn Range

Unread post by bikenhike »

He is lucky that he only broke his ankle. That is one steep chute to fall down. Especially when icy. Just look at the guy who died on Hunter Mtn. I hope he is thanking his lucky stars. Hope he gets better soon.
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