Hiker attempting 50-mile trail in Adirondacks rescued after dehydration

Warm weather in the northeastern United States may be a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean hydration isn’t an important factor to consider on your next hike. Last week, New York City forest rangers responded to a call from a backcountry hiker who was suffering from dehydration and needed to be evacuated from the scene.

According to a state Department of Environmental Conservation report, Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a tour group attempting a 50-mile circumnavigation of Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks on Oct. 19 at 6:24 p.m.

“Forest Ranger Benzel spoke with a reporter who reported that the 26-year-old from Connecticut improved after drinking fluids and did not require ranger assistance until the morning,” the report states.

However, an hour later the tour group called back and reported that the injured tourist’s condition was deteriorating. The hikers were located 1.6 miles east of Camp 17 on the Otter Brook Trail and were located by rangers at 10:32 p.m. and transported the hiker back to Cranberry Lake by boat, where they were transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.

Cranberry Lake is the third largest lake in the Adirondack Park, and much of its shoreline is wilderness. The route includes a 50 mile swim around the lake and is described AllTrails as extremely picturesque, but complex.

woman drinking from a hydration pack

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Know the signs of dehydration

Dehydration is a condition in which the body does not have enough fluid to perform normal functions. This can happen when you lose too much fluid, as with some medical conditions, or when you take in more fluid than you take in, such as if you go on a long run or hike and don’t drink enough. water. Even if it’s not summer, you’re not necessarily off the hook—dehydration can happen in any weather if the conditions are right.

If you feel thirsty while hiking, you should drink water as thirst is a sign that your body needs fluids. However, many of us don’t feel thirsty until we become dehydrated, so it’s important to know other signs and symptoms of dehydration:

Less frequent urination
Dark colored urine
Fatigue
Dizziness
Confusion

As soon as you or anyone in your party experiences these symptoms, you should treat it as a medical emergency, stop walking, and focus on staying hydrated. Water is the best medicine, although you can add electrolytes to replace salts lost through sweat. If you take a break from hiking or running to drink more fluids, after you have rested and hydrated, you should return slowly and carefully to the beginning of the trail and continue drinking when you get home. Read more in our article about signs of dehydration.

A good rule of thumb is regarding how much water should you take with you on a hike? is one liter for every two hours, but for a long hike you will need to take it with you water filter How LifeStraw so you can refill on the go.