CLIFTON -- An ill-prepared 38-year-old West Point man had to be rescued by state forest rangers from Cat Mountain Pond on the Cranberry Lake 50 trail on Dec. 17.
According to a press release from the Department of Environmental Conservation, St. Lawrence County 911 contacted DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch regarding a distress signal from an InReach emergency beacon in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area at Cat Mountain Pond at around 8:48 p.m.
Due to the remote location and winter conditions, 10 Forest Rangers utilizing two airboats responded to expedite personnel transport.
Forest Ranger Nathan Shea hiked in from the Dead Creek trailhead, while the remaining Forest Rangers proceeded to the location with airboats using the SUNY ESF Ranger School beachfront area.
The hiker was found by Ranger Shea at 1:57 a.m., using the coordinates given by 911.
Ranger Shea warmed the hiker, gave him fluids and food, and they began walking out to meet the rest of the search party.
At 3:07 a.m., Forest Rangers met the hiker and Ranger Shea between the Cat Mountain junction and Cat Mountain Pond.
They then hiked to Janacks Landing and were evacuated by airboat back to the Ranger School.
The hiker declined medical care and was transported by family members to a hotel in Tupper Lake.
All units were back in service at 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 18.
The hiker stated he had left Cranberry Lake at 5 a.m. on Dec. 17, and attempted to hike the Cranberry Lake 50 trail, but was not fully prepared for the hike and did not have winter-weight boots or enough food.
