Rangers warned a hiker about a late start on a 3,847-foot mountain trek — 12 hours later, an SOS signal came in
Sometimes, even a confident decision can turn into a life-threatening situation. That’s what happened with a 33-year-old hiker, who decided to attempt an ambitious multi-peak trek in New York’s Catskill Mountains. The scary incident, as reported by PEOPLE, occurred after a forest ranger, Jeffery, warned the hiker about setting out too late in the day. The hiker began the expedition on a Friday afternoon, on January 16, starting with Table Mountain, a 3,847-foot peak located in Ulster County, according to a statement from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
Around 1:30 pm, Forest Ranger Jeffery encountered the hiker during a routine patrol on the Phoenicia East Branch Trail. The officials, while talking to the outlet, said, “Ranger Jeffery expressed concern over the late start, but the hiker was confident in their ability, had the proper gear, and proceeded.” On Saturday, January 17, around 2:27 am, almost 12 hours later, the authorities received an SOS signal sent from the hiker’s satellite device. Immediately after the alert, rescuers reached Fisherman’s Path, which, according to officials, is “a common trailless exit route for many of the Catskill peaks.”
However, due to the icy road conditions, the emergency response was slowed down. It wasn’t until 6:30 am that two forest rangers, including Jeffery, were able to reach the hiker. However, by the time authorities reached there, the 33-year-old had fallen into a river and “was visibly suffering from rapidly progressing hypothermia,” officials explained. The hiker was immediately put into dry clothing, rangers used a heating blanket, and provided hot liquids to stabilize the situation. With the help of the rangers’ assistance, the hiker was able to reach the trailhead.
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in dangerously low core body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Mayo Clinic. When this happens, the heart, nervous system, and other vital organs can’t function properly. The person suffers intense shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and clumsiness, but the condition worsens, shivering may stop, and an individual may become drowsy, weak, or lose consciousness. It can also lead to organ failure and can be life-threatening if not treated, or if someone is exposed to cold, wet, or windy conditions for prolonged periods.
After the rescue, officials advised the hiker to seek additional medical care if symptoms such as “swelling, blisters, or discoloration” developed. The hiker, during the rescue, shared that they had expanded their plan to include four peaks in the area — Lone, Peekamoose, Table, and Rocky Mountains. The Catskill Mountains are a popular destination for hikers and tourists, part of the Appalachian Mountain system, and include numerous peaks rising above 3,000 feet. “Heavily mantled with mixed broad-leaved and coniferous forests,” according to Britannica, “the area’s scenery is made more spectacular by deeply scored cloves (rocky glens).” It is linked to Washington Irving’s 1819 short story “Rip Van Winkle,” which centers on a farmer who falls asleep in the Catskill Mountains and awakens 20 years later.