Two teenage hikers who ran from a bear while descending an Adirondack mountain ended up spending the night in a hunter’s camp before Forest Rangers escorted them to safety the next morning.
Hikers spend night in hunter’s camp after bear encounter
Forest Rangers responded just after midnight July 5 after receiving a report that two 17-year-olds had climbed Buck Mountain, along the east side of Lake George in Washington County, encountered a bear and were unable to make it back to the trailhead, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The teens told Rangers they ran after seeing the bear and eventually came across a nearby hunter’s camp, where they sheltered in the mud room while waiting for help.
Forest Rangers lead teens to safety
Forest Rangers located the hikers and escorted them safely out of the woods. The rescue concluded at 9:20 a.m., according to the DEC.
The agency did not say whether the hikers were injured or provide additional details about the bear encounter.
What hikers should do if they encounter a bear
Buck Mountain is one of the Adirondacks’ most popular hiking destinations and offers panoramic views of Lake George from its summit.
The DEC advises hikers who encounter a bear to remain calm, avoid running and slowly back away while giving the animal space. Black bears are common throughout the Adirondacks, and officials say running can trigger a bear’s instinct to chase.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 2 teen hikers flee bear on Adirondack mountain, spend night in hunter’s camp
Reporting by Ryan Miller, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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By Ryan Miller, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
