02/27/2026
God bless our Forest Rangers and prayers for a full recovery for this hiker... this was right in our backyard. We ask just about everyone of my guest when they check in what mountain they plan to hike so if they do not return we know where to send the DEC. The Adirondacks are beautiful but they are also brutal under severe weather conditions.
Updated: Hiker found alive after 18-hour Dix Range search
Search began Wednesday night and expanded to more than 20 rangers by Thursday morning
NORTH HUDSON — A 58-year-old Mechanicville man was pulled alive from the Dix Range Thursday afternoon after spending the better part of two days alone in the backcountry as snow fell and temperatures dropped across the High Peaks. It was the second time in as many winters that search teams have pulled him from the field.
The rescue came at the end of an 18-hour search involving state Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers and a State Police Aviation unit. His wife reported him overdue Wednesday night after losing contact earlier that day. By the time the call came in, conditions in the range had already turned.
The distance and deteriorating weather are what makes the Dix Range unforgiving in winter. The range sits in the southeastern corner of the High Peaks Wilderness, a cluster of five summits connected by exposed ridgelines and sparsely traveled trails that can be nearly impossible to follow when snow buries any trace of established tracks.
The hiker was found Thursday afternoon off the Lillian Brook trail, an unmarked connector that sees far less traffic than the range’s main routes. In summer it functions as a shortcut. In winter, with no packed tread to follow and limited landmarks, it becomes a different proposition entirely.
When rangers reached him, the signs were consistent with what prolonged exposure in those conditions produces: mild hypothermia and frostbite. The body manages cold stress for hours, a process that begins quietly with shivering and slowed movement, then accelerates as core temperature drops and decision-making degrades.
He was airlifted to Saranac Lake for evaluation and treatment. Adirondack Mountain News is working to obtain video of the rescue.
Hiking alone strips away the margin. No one notices when pace slows. No one shares gear or body heat. No one makes the call to turn back. In the Dix Range in February, that margin is a survival variable.
The search drew more than 20 forest rangers to the field by Thursday morning, with aviation assets inserting teams at elevation to cover ground that would have taken hours to reach on foot. It was a significant mobilization for a single subject, a reminder of what a winter itinerary can set in motion when it goes wrong.
Winter hiking safety: what the DEC recommends
Tell someone your plans. The DEC advises hikers to leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted contact, including trailhead, planned route, and expected return time, along with emergency numbers to call if you do not return as scheduled.
Never travel alone. The DEC is direct on this point: solo travel in winter backcountry removes a critical layer of safety. A partner notices when pace slows, shares gear and body heat, and can summon help.
Know hypothermia’s threat. The DEC warns that hypothermia can occur even when temperatures are above freezing. Being tired, hungry, or dehydrated makes hikers more susceptible. Eat, drink, and rest often.
Check the weather and plan conservatively. Temperatures drop and winds strengthen at elevation. The DEC advises turning back immediately if conditions worsen. The summit will still be there another day.
Carry the 10 essentials. The DEC’s Hike Smart NY program lists food, water, navigation tools, warm layers, snowshoes or traction devices, a headlamp, first-aid kit, and fire-starting materials as non-negotiable for winter backcountry travel.
Traveling through snow takes more time and energy than hikers expect. Plan your turnaround time accordingly and keep track of daylight. Days are short in February.
To report a lost, injured, or overdue hiker, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.
This story will be updated as needed.
Filed by John Bulmer, Publisher, Adirondack Mountain News, NYS SAR Crew Boss
