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A late start, expanded route, and icy terrain led to a long night and a hypothermia rescue in the Catskills. The incident highlights how winter hiking allows little room for error, even when hikers feel prepared.
On a recent January afternoon, a hiker began an ascent of Table Mountain from the Phoenicia East Branch Trail. It was already late in the day. A Forest Ranger on patrol expressed concern about the timing, but the hiker felt prepared, had proper gear, and chose to continue. This is easy to relate to. Many winter hikers have started late, felt strong, and trusted their experience.
Sometime later, plans expanded. Instead of a single peak, the hike grew into a multi-summit itinerary that included Lone, Peekamoose, Table, and Rocky Mountains. That kind of decision-making is common when conditions feel manageable early on. But, in winter, every added mile and every extra descent compounds risk. Darkness arrives faster than expected. Trails take longer to follow. Off-trail exits that feel manageable in summer become hazardous.
In the early morning hours, the hiker sent an SOS from a satellite device after falling into the Neversink River while attempting to exit via Fisherman’s Path, a trailless route many Catskills hikers use. Fully submerged in winter conditions, the hiker began developing hypothermia quickly. By the time Rangers reached them, hours later due to icy road conditions, the situation had become serious. Luckily, dry clothing, heat, and hot liquids stabilized the hiker enough to walk out.
Catskills S.O.S.
What’s striking about this incident is not carelessness. The hiker had gear. They had confidence. They had experience enough to attempt multiple peaks. The problem was a series of small decisions made late in the day, in winter, when margins are thin.
Winter changes the math. Distances feel longer. Exit routes are harder. Water crossings can turn quickly from inconveniences into emergencies. A single slip can undo hours of good judgment.
There’s an important lesson here that doesn’t require finger-pointing: winter plans need firmer boundaries than summer ones.
Start times matter more. Backup routes need to be conservative. Ambitious add-ons should be treated as optional, not assumed. And perhaps most importantly, confidence should be paired with an early willingness to turn around.
Mountain hiking in winter doesn’t demand perfection. It does demand humility. Every season teaches that lesson differently. Winter teaches it quietly, often after dark, when the woods are cold and help is far away.
Source: DEC Press Release
Town of Denning / Ulster County / Wilderness Rescue:
On January 16 at 1:30 p.m., while on routine patrol along the Phoenicia East Branch Trail, Forest Ranger Jeffery encountered a 33-year-old beginning a hike of Table Mountain. Ranger Jeffery expressed concern over the late start, but the hiker was confident in their ability, had the proper gear, and proceeded. At 2:27 a.m., the hiker from Hopewell Junction sent an SOS from a satellite device with coordinates on Fisherman’s Path, which parallels the Neversink River. It’s a common trailless exit route for many of the Catskill peaks. Icy road conditions delayed Ranger response time. At 6:30 a.m.,Rangers Franceschina and Jeffery located the hiker who was visibly suffering from rapidly progressing hypothermia after falling into the river and becoming fully submerged. Rangers quickly changed the hiker into dry clothes, used a heated blanket, and provided hot liquids. After talking to the hiker, they learned the hiker changed plans and included Lone, Peekamoose, Table, and Rocky Mountains. Rangers assisted the hiker to the trailhead and advised them to seek further medical attention if any swelling, blisters, or discoloration occurred. Resources were clear at 8:30 a.m.
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