Forest rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to numerous rescues over the past week for hikers who were injured, lost, unprepared or suffering possible medical events.

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Lost on Cook

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On Aug. 26 at 10:10 p.m., Ray Brook dispatch received a call from two hikers unable to follow the trail down Cook Mountain in Ticonderoga. Forest Ranger Logan Quinn attempted to talk the hikers back onto the trail, but they lost it again. At 11:20 p.m., Quinn located the 47-year-old and 11-year-old from Ticonderoga and helped them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 12:15 a.m.

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Stuck on a slab

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On Aug. 27 at 8:56 p.m., Ray Brook dispatch received a call from three climbers stranded while hiking the rock slabs off of Pyramid Mountain in Keene. The climbers from Virginia reached a point where they couldn’t go any further because of a steep drop. The climbers were intentionally off trail but were not prepared for the challenging conditions. At 1:30 a.m., Forest Rangers Andrew Lewis and Allison Rooney reached the climbers and helped them through steep slopes, rock slabs and thicket. They reached the trailhead at 3:35 a.m. Video of part of the rescue can be seen at tinyurl.com/2nwfddm6.

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Unprepared on Little Whiteface

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On Aug. 28 at 8 p.m., Ray Brook dispatch received an SOS call from two hikers near Little Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington. The pair didn’t have headlamps, extra clothing or cell phone chargers. At 10:01 p.m., Forest Rangers Nicole DuChene and Robert Praczkajlo reached the 22-year-olds from Canada and helped them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 10:25 p.m. The DEC reminds outdoor adventurers to plan ahead and prepare for changing conditions. The DEC’s 10 hiking essentials can be found at tinyurl.com/2ptwk33j.

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Hammock havoc

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On Aug. 29 at 3 p.m., Forest Ranger Neilson Snye responded to a call at the Brown Tract Pond Campground in Inlet for an injured camper. The 35-year-old from Rochester had fallen from a hammock and suffered a hip injury. Snye stabilized the subject and helped him into an ambulance. Resources were clear at 3:25 p.m.

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Helicopter on Algonquin

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On Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m., Ray Brook dispatch received a call from a hiker with a broken ankle on Algonquin Peak in Newcomb. The 28-year-old from Pleasantville reported he was experiencing numbness in his foot. New York State Police Aviation Pilots Sgt. Anderton and Drindak were called in to assist. Forest Ranger Andrew Lewis reached the hiker and harnessed him. Ranger Robert Praczkajlo successfully hoisted the subject into the helicopter, and they were flown to the hospital. Resources were clear at 7:25 p.m.

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Rained out on Colden

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On Sept. 1 at 7:55 p.m., three hikers on Mount Colden in Keene called for help after having trouble following the trail. One of the hikers was also suffering from knee and hip pain. Forest Ranger Nicole DuChene spoke to the wife of one of the hikers who indicated the trio had been caught in a rainstorm and were wet and cold with only one headlamp among them. Ranger DuChene was joined by Rangers Andrew Lewis, Hannah O’Connor and Robert Praczkajlo, who headed into Marcy Dam. At 9:55 p.m., rangers reached the hikers, provided basic first aid, headlamps and warm clothes. They hiked out of the woods and reached their vehicle at 12:51 a.m. Checking the weather ahead of time, having a map and compass and knowing how to use them would have likely prevented the need for this rescue, according to the DEC.

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EMTs at Bald Mountain

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On Sept. 1 at 2 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker on Bald Mountain in Webb with a possible cardiac issue. The 68-year-old from Brewerton had a history of cardiac events. An off-duty paramedic and nurse were with the hiker. Forest Rangers Aimee Bills, Dylan McCartney and Christopher Pelrah reached the subject and helped him back to the trailhead to a waiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 3:57 p.m.

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‘We’re here!’

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On Aug. 30 at 5:58 p.m., Forest Ranger Will Benzel responded to a search call in the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest in Fine. Two hikers had left in the morning without any gear or food and were expected back by noon. Benzel and Ranger Lincoln Hanno searched the area south of the hikers’ campsite. At 10:07 p.m., Hanno was shouting the names of the hikers when they responded, “We’re here!” Hanno located the 30-year-old and 35-year-old from Gouverneur on the east side of Mullins Marsh Creek, approximately 1.5 miles from the campsite. Hanno provided flashlights and guided the pair back to their camp. Resources were clear at 1:35 a.m.