What happened to the hiker in the Catskill Mountains?

The hiker suffered severe hypothermia and was rescued from a river after attempting to climb four peaks.

Did a ranger warn the hiker before their Catskills expedition?

Yes, a forest ranger had expressed concern about the hiker's late start but the hiker proceeded.

How long did the rescue take in the Catskills?

Rescuers took over 12 hours from the SOS signal to locate the hiker and initiated treatment.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Hiker Rescued After Hypothermia in Catskills

Hiker Rescued After Hypothermia in Catskills

26 Jan

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Summary

Hiker rescued from river after suffering severe hypothermia.
A forest ranger had previously warned the hiker about their plans.
The hiker attempted to climb four peaks in the Catskill Mountains.

Hiker Rescued After Hypothermia in Catskills

A 33-year-old hiker was rescued from the Catskill Mountains in New York after experiencing severe hypothermia. The incident began on the afternoon of Friday, January 16, 2026, when the hiker started their ascent of Table Mountain. A forest ranger had expressed concern about the late start, but the hiker, confident in their gear and abilities, continued.

More than 12 hours later, in the early morning of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the hiker activated a satellite SOS device. Rescuers were directed to Fisherman's Path, a common exit route for the area's peaks. Icy road conditions delayed the response.

By 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, two rangers found the hiker in a river, exhibiting signs of rapidly progressing hypothermia. They were provided with dry clothing, a heating blanket, and hot liquids. The hiker was assisted back to the trailhead and advised to seek further medical evaluation if symptoms persisted.