60-year-old rescued from Adirondacks stood in same spot for 7 hours, rangers say

KEENE, N.Y. (WCAX/Gray News) — A 60-year-old Canadian man was rescued from the Adirondacks after he stood in the same spot for seven hours, forest rangers said.

The rescue happened Oct. 21 on the Mount Colden Trap Dike.

Satellite beacon sent after loss of crampons

Forest rangers said the man sent a satellite beacon around 6:30 p.m. after he lost his crampons on an icy ledge. The loss left him stranded.

Forest rangers reached the man around 1 a.m. and began the rescue.

Ranger describes securing the man

“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,’” Forest Ranger Jenna Curcio said.

Trap Dike route

Forest rangers said the Trap Dike route is a fourth-class climb. Several deaths have been linked to the climb over the years.

Rangers encourage hikers to do their research and come prepared.