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Town of Shandaken | Ulster County
On Dec 17 at 2:50 p.m., DEC Forest Ranger Stratton overheard radio traffic from Ulster County 911 requesting assistance with an unconscious subject on the Rochester Hollow Trail in Shandaken Wild Forest.
The 69-year-old from Clinton Corners was hiking with two friends when he collapsed. One of the friends started CPR while the other hiker called for help.
Ulster County EMS reached the subject and determined he was deceased.
Rangers Allwine, Clute, and Stratton assisted the State Police with processing the scene and recovering the subject from the woods.
Resources were clear at 6:30 p.m.
Source:Â dec.ny.gov/press/126786.html
Rochester Hollow is a pretty mellow location, with less than 700 feet of elevation gain over 1.6 miles from the parking lot to the back of the hollow.
Sometimes a person can simply have a medical event on the trail. It may have nothing to do with the strenuousness of the trail or the preparedness of the hiker — it happened on the trail, but it could have happened anywhere.
It’s always a good idea to know one’s personal limits and to not push past any point of discomfort, especially in a wilderness setting.
A medical problem is a great reason to turn around — but you never need any reason to turn around.
If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS.
If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911.
Always pack The Ten Essentials.
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I am not sure what “Ulster County EMS” means. Counties are divided among different volunteer and commercial ambulance agencies. This was probably Shandaken Ambulance possibly with mutual aid assistance from other agencies.
I’m sure. It’s an amazing system, really. It works so well considering how many parties are involved. Recoveries must be so rough, though.