Rangers Pull Canadian Hiker From Frozen Adirondack Ledge After Seven-Hour Wait
The climber lost his crampons on the Mount Colden Trap Dike and remained stationary until rescue crews arrived at 1 a.m.
By James Brooks ·
State forest rangers rescued a 60-year-old Canadian man who spent seven hours stranded on a frozen ledge in the Adirondack Mountains. The incident occurred on the Mount Colden Trap Dike, a route that requires mountaineering skills to traverse safely.
The hiker activated an emergency satellite beacon at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. He had lost his crampons, which are traction spikes attached to winter boots, while moving across the icy surface. Without that gear, the climber could not move up or down the slope without risking a fall. He stood in one specific location until help arrived.
Rescue teams reached the man at approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday. Forest Ranger Jenna Curcio described the difficulty of securing him to her tether. "When I got out to him and was trying just to get him secured to me, the thought went through my mind: if we both slip before I have him clipped in and on my tether, he’s dead. He’s like, gone," Curcio said.
The Mount Colden Trap Dike is classified as a fourth-class climb. Officials noted that the route has claimed multiple lives over the years due to its steep and exposed nature. The terrain demands careful preparation and specific equipment for winter travel.
Rangers advised outdoor enthusiasts to research their chosen routes thoroughly before entering steep backcountry areas. They emphasized the need to carry proper gear to handle changing weather conditions on icy ledges.
