New York ranger leads 9 lost Catskills hikers to safety after dark, none with maps or lights

Nine hikers who lost their way after dark in New York's Catskills were brought out safely by a forest ranger, even though the group had no flashlight, headlamps, or maps, Syracuse.com reported.

The incident on Peekamoose Mountain is a stark reminder that even a hike in a popular, well-traveled area can quickly turn dangerous when people enter the woods unprepared.

Here's what to know

The nine hikers were part of a larger group that began an evening climb of Peekamoose Mountain from the Denning trailhead on Aug. 5.

During the descent, the hikers ended up heading toward the Peekamoose Road parking area instead of toward Denning.

Thanks to a cellphone connection with one member of the party, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest ranger instructed the hikers to keep moving downhill.

After finding them on the trail, the ranger led the hikers to his vehicle and then drove the group leader to a nearby YMCA to reconnect with the rest of the party.

He also arranged transportation back to the correct parking area, where the remaining members of the group arrived at 10:05 p.m.

The hikers had neither a map nor any kind of light source, a gap in basic gear that can make even a relatively manageable route much more dangerous after sunset.

More background

A hike up a Catskills peak can seem routine, especially in the summer, but mountain trails can quickly become disorienting when hikers are tired, the light is fading, or a junction is missed.

Search-and-rescue work depends on trained public servants who step in when plans unravel. 

In this case, the response involved locating the hikers, reuniting a split group, and getting everyone back to the proper trailhead.

Many people still treat short hikes or hikes in well-known areas as casual outings that do not require the same preparation as more remote backcountry travel.

Even on a day hike, one wrong turn near nightfall can trigger a chain of confusion, delays, and risk for both hikers and the rescuers who may need to respond.

What can be done?

Among the items rangers recommend carrying are a light, maps, and compasses, along with knowledge of how to use them. 

All are part of the Ten Hiking Essentials, a nearly century-old list of crucial hiking gear.

Before setting out, hikers can confirm the route, agree on turnaround times, ensure everyone has their own gear, and identify the starting trailhead and intended exit point. 

A larger group does not automatically mean greater safety if key supplies are missing.

A charged phone can help, as it did in this case, but it should not be the only backup plan. 

Cell service can be unreliable in mountain areas, and darkness can make a simple navigation error far more difficult to fix.

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