On November 16 at 12 p.m., Ulster County 911 contacted Ray Brook Dispatch to send Rangers to a call for a hiker with difficulty breathing near the summit of Slide Mountain Ranger Sweeney made phone contact with the 30-year-old from New Jersey. The original group was eight hikers—four were experienced and left the novice hikers behind. The hiker who needed help has asthma but did not bring an inhaler. While Rangers Horn and Stratton responded, Ranger Sweeney told the group to stay where they were and wait for help. Approximately 15 minutes later, Ranger Sweeney called the group again and the hiker was breathing much better. Rangers Horn and Stratton led the search with Big Indian Fire Department and Shandaken EMS responded to the trailhead. At 2 p.m., rescuers found the hiker in good health. The subject refused further medical attention. Resources were clear at 4:30 p.m.
NOTE: When hiking in a group, the entire group hikes the speed of the slowest hiker. And, you do not break up the group.
Slide Mountain - picture taken from Cornell Mountain