Wreckage is seen on Indian Lake after a snowmobiler hit an ice heave, resulting in the operator being ejected from the snowmobile and launched about 150 feet into the air. The snowmobiler suffered a traumatic brain injury and was airlifted to the hospital. The rider’s current medical status is unknown. (Provided photo — New York state Department of Environmental Conservation)

Forest Rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to two calls throughout the Adirondacks last week — one involving a traumatic brain injury as a result of a snowmobile crash.

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Snowmobiler launched 150 feet into air

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INDIAN LAKE — Hamilton County received a 911 call about an unconscious snowmobiler on Indian Lake around 11:30 a.m. on March 4. DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officer Jared Newell arrived first at the scene, followed by DEC Forest Ranger Melissa Milano and an Indian Lake paramedic.

The 55-year-old from Hillsdale had hit an ice heave while snowmobiling and traveled approximately 150 feet in the air on the vehicle before being ejected and traveling another nearly 150 feet after bouncing off the ice a couple of times.

The subject suffered a traumatic brain injury and injured his left arm. First responders and bystanders wrapped the snowmobiler in a hypo wrap and transported him in a snow ambulance. Indian Lake Fire and EMS carried the subject to a Life Net helicopter, which flew him to the hospital. Resources were clear at 1 p.m.

It was unclear what the subject’s medical status is.

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Overnight whiteout snarls Great Range hike

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KEENE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the family members of two overdue hikers at 4 a.m. on Friday, March 8. The last known location for the 25- and 30-year-olds was the summit of Upper Wolfjaw Mountain.

The pair from Queensbury had left an itinerary with their family members with instructions not to worry until 3 a.m. The pair were planning to complete five peaks of the Lower Great Range. Wolfjaw was their fourth peak undertaken with strong winds, whiteout conditions and temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero with the windchill in higher elevations.

At 6:30 a.m., DEC Forest Ranger Andrew Lewis located the hikers’ vehicle at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve parking lot. Rangers hiked the Wedgebrook Trail and A.W. trail. As they were about to hike the south side trail of Johns Brook Valley at 10 a.m., Johns Brook Lodge called to report the two hikers were at the lodge and in good condition.

The hikers had lost the trail and could only find the trail to Johns Brook Valley. They encountered other hikers in the morning who told them about the lodge. Rangers explained how the hikers could get to the Garden parking lot and at 12:30 p.m., the pair met up with rangers and family.

The pair had multiple electronic devices for navigation, but the batteries all died. Rangers encourage hikers to always travel with a map and a compass.