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Forest rangers rescue three distressed hikers during ‘Cranberry 50’ attempt

Posted 4/5/16

CRANBERRY LAKE – Department of Conservation Forest Rangers rescued three men who called for help while attempting the Cranberry 50. The Cranberry 50 is a fifty-mile trail that runs around Cranberry …

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Forest rangers rescue three distressed hikers during ‘Cranberry 50’ attempt

Posted

CRANBERRY LAKE – Department of Conservation Forest Rangers rescued three men who called for help while attempting the Cranberry 50.

The Cranberry 50 is a fifty-mile trail that runs around Cranberry Lake.

On March 29 St. Lawrence County 911 contacted DEC Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a call for help from a hiking party in distress on the shore of Cranberry Lake.

After losing the call, 911 tried calling back with no success, but cell phone pings from the closest tower provided an approximate location.

Based on the cell tower location, DEC Forest Rangers immediately concentrated New York State Police Aviation search efforts on the eastern shore of Cranberry Lake.

They located the group at 11:53 a.m.

Forest Rangers responded by boat and transported the group to the Cranberry Lake Fire Department for evaluation.

An 18-year-old man from Syracuse, 19-year-old man from Watertown, and 19-year-old man from Carthage had started to hike the "Cranberry Lake 50" the previous day.

They did not have a map, compass, or any navigational aids and their gear was not appropriate for winter/spring hiking or camping.

The group completed approximately 9 miles and set up camp for the night. By Tuesday morning, they realized they could not continue and called 911 for assistance.

No further medical treatment was needed.