Adirondack Hiker Rescued By 34 Rangers And 12 Volunteers

RAY BROOK, N.Y. (AP) — A hiker is recovering from a leg injury after 34 state forest rangers and 12 volunteers braved high winds and snow in a 37-hour rescue operation in the Adirondack High Peaks.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says a hiker called 911 in Essex County shortly after noon Saturday to report his companion had fallen 10 feet from an icy cliff on Saddleback Mountain. The injured hiker couldn't bear weight on one leg.

High winds, snow and cloud cover made it impossible to use a rescue helicopter, so rangers hiked in and set up a base camp. They located the hikers around 4:45 a.m. Sunday. Additional crews arrived with technical rope gear.

The injured hiker was carried out of the woods at 1 a.m. on Monday and taken to a hospital.