Whether you are hiking or hunting, the woods of New York are no joke. You need to be aware of your surroundings and try not to get lost!

Even when we are on our best behavior and doing all of the things we are supposed to we can lose our way. It happens to hundreds of people each year! Just last week one hiker fell out of a tree! Here's the story.

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On Sunday November 21st, there were 2 hikers from Long Island making their way through Devils Path in Greene County. The pair had been camping for a couple of nights and were leaving Echo Lake when they began having difficulty finding their way to the Prediger Trailhead. First thing they did was start a fire.

Next thing they did, in an attempt to get a better perspective, one member of the party climbed a tree. Shortly after climbing to 20 feet the hiker fell to the ground. To give you an idea of how high that is, picture falling out of your upstairs window at home. That's 20 feet!

The fallen hikers partner called 911 and according to New York DEC, Forest Rangers Dawson and Gullen responded and located the hikers nearly one mile in and 100 feet off the trail. It was determined that the hikers could both walk out with the assistance of hiking poles.

Should you find yourself lost in the woods or perhaps injured there are ways to get help. The New York Department of Conservation recommends that you STOP!

  • S is for Sit Down:
  • T is for Think: Ask yourself the most important questions, such as "How much time is left before it gets dark?"
  • O is for Observe: Listen for sounds, like traffic, running water. Ask yourself the most likely places to look for firewood and shelter.
  • P is for Plan: Decide if you should try to make it out of the woods or stay put until morning.

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