Adirondack Rescue: Hiker Trapped for Seven Hours on Icy Ledge

A 60-year-old Canadian hiker stood motionless on an icy ledge for seven hours before rescue teams secured him on Mount Colden in the Adirondack Mountains. The incident occurred on Wednesday, Oct. 21, along the Trap Dike route. The climber activated an emergency satellite beacon at approximately 6:30 p.m. after his crampons, the metal spikes attached to winter boots, became detached while he traversed the narrow path. Without this traction gear, the man could not safely ascend or descend the steep, frozen surface. He remained in the same position until help arrived. State forest rangers dispatched rescue crews to the location. The team reached the stranded hiker around 1 a.m. Rangers began the process of clipping him to their safety tethers in the dark. Forest Ranger Jenna Curcio described the physical risk of the operation. “When I got out to him and was trying just to get him secured to me, the thought went through my mind: if we both slip before I have him clipped in and on my tether, he’s dead. He’s like, gone,” Curcio said. The Trap Dike is classified as a fourth-class mountaineering climb. Officials noted the route has claimed multiple lives over the years. Rangers advised outdoor enthusiasts to research routes thoroughly and carry appropriate gear before entering steep backcountry terrain. The hiker was extracted safely following the rescue effort.

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a dark, icy mountain ledge in the Adirondack Mountains at night, a lone figure standing on a narrow frozen path, cold blue lighting, rugged rock face, no visible people faces, atmospheric and cold

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