Harrowing Nightfall: Hiker Survives Freezing Temperatures, Clinging onto a Small Tree After a Dramatic Fall
A brave woman defied the freezing cold as she clung to a tiny tree all night long after a terrifying fall of hundreds of feet down a New York mountain
A woman was able to survive frigid nighttime temperatures after falling hundreds of feet down a mountain in New York State, thanks to a single tree. The 46-year-old fell through steep snowfall while hiking the Adirondack Mountains on December 26, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservations forest rangers.
Forest Ranger J.M. Martin explained in a news release video that she truly believed she wouldn't make it out alive. The temperature was in the low 30s, with intermittent rain and snow, which rangers refer to as "hypothermia weather."
After slipping down a steep, snowy slope while hiking on South Dix mountain, the woman landed on a rock slab and was unable to climb back up to the trail. To avoid slipping off the rock slab, she held onto a small spruce tree, which prevented her from falling off a cliff, according to the rangers.
The rangers were alerted about a hiker in need of rescue at approximately 5:30 p.m. They advised the hiker to call 911 in order to help them pinpoint her precise location. However, the rangers were aware that it would take some time before they could reach her, and the hiker had to find a way to stay warm for the night.
Martin described the hiker as being too scared to move and clinging to a tree with all her strength. She managed to keep warm by using an emergency blanket. Despite being advised to move, she only managed to wiggle back and forth all night.
The forest rangers successfully located the woman at around 1:30 a.m. and provided her with warm drinks, food, and dry clothes. They then escorted her back to the trail and she reached her vehicle by 6:30 a.m.
Martin stated that the woman is a seasoned hiker with extensive experience hiking the mountains of the Adirondacks. She has successfully conquered the challenge of summiting all 46 Adirondack High Peaks twice. "That night, she came to the realization that she had been fortunate on previous occasions," Martin remarked. "It's no laughing matter out there - it's life-threatening."
