Rescuers Save “Soloist” in Adirondacks

On May 29, a 33-year-old rock climber from Pleasant Valley got stranded on a ledge while climbing Trap Dike on Mount Colden in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York.

Trap Dike is technically a fourth class scramble, but most people bring climbing gear and a rope. In the description on Mountain Project, it reads, “It should be noted that this is not a hiking route, and should be considered a serious undertaking for the non-climber or even beginner rock climber. There have been many rescues in the dike, many of which involve helicopter and rescue teams.”

A New York State Police helicopter carried forest rangers to Avalanche Lake at the base of the route. Two rangers climbed to the stranded man, gave him a helmet, placed him in a harness, built anchors, and lowered him 80 metres to where he could walk out. Boat transportation was then provided for them. You can download videos of the rescue here.

Also in the Adirondacks this spring, a man from Connecticut suffered significant injuries after falling 15 metres at the Spider’s Web crag north of Chapel Pond in Keene. The climber was flown to Marcy Field in Keene Valley, where he was then transferred to a LifeNet helicopter and flown to the hospital.