The Peru Gazette

Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 6 at 3:29 p.m., a call came into DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from inReach GPS services reporting a distress signal from a group of hikers on the Phelps Trail in the High Peaks Wilderness, including a 61-year-old male hiker from Brooklyn who was vomiting from severe dehydration. The hikers managed to make it slowly down to the Slant Rock lean-to where they warmed up, started a fire, and changed into dry clothes. The hiking party was requesting assistance in getting back to their camp at Peggy-O Cabin. Forest Rangers Kevin Burns, Peter Evans, James Giglinto, Jamison Martin, Robbi Mecus, Art Perryman, Rob Praczkajlo, Scott Sabo, and Mark St. Claire responded with snowmobiles and a UTV for quicker access into Johns Brook Lodge, which brought them closer to the ill hiker. At 6:45 p.m., Forest Rangers assisted the hiker to a waiting ambulance. At 10:18 p.m., the hiker was transported by Keene Valley Ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia and dehydration.