Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Horn and Sweeney responded to a call for a lost hiker in the Slide Mountain Wilderness. Coordinates placed the 17-year-old from Youngsville between Slide and Cornell mountains, approximately three miles from the trailhead. Rangers worked with New York State Police and the Big Indian and Claryville fire departments. At 7:30 p.m., Rangers reached the subject, who was showing symptoms of mild hypothermia. He was in the middle of a two-night backpacking trip that started at the Giant Ledge trailhead with a planned meeting with family at the Slide Mountain trailhead. Due to the steep and rugged terrain, snow accumulation, rapidly dropping temperatures, and exhaustion, the hiker could not reach his planned destination. After warming the hiker with hot liquids, food, and hand and foot warmers, Rangers assisted the subject to the Slide Mountain trailhead where he was met by his family. Resources were clear at 2:30 a.m.
It should be noted that the east side of Slide Mountain is very difficult in the summer months. Adding wet snow and darkness, would make this very difficult. This link will give you a better idea of what this young man encountered: https://www.catskillmountaineer.com/SMW ... rnell.html
Photos taken by the New York Forest Rangers:
