Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
Search Resumes for Missing Quebec Hiker in Adirondacks
Authorities in New York State have restarted efforts to locate Léo Dufour, a 22-year-old man from Vaudreuil, Quebec, who has not returned after a hike in the snowy Adirondack Mountains.
Dufour embarked on an overnight hiking trip on November 29, expected to return the next evening, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Concerns about Dufour’s whereabouts arose when New York State Police (NYSP) received a report of an overdue hiker at 2:30 a.m. on December 1. They found his vehicle at the Mt. Adams trailhead, which was already blanketed in snow.
Brandi Ashley, a NYSP spokesperson, indicated that officials are now tracking Dufour’s cell phone signal to pinpoint his last known location. Although he had signed the trail register, the phone’s last ping was detected on the opposite side of Allen Mountain from the established trail. Ashley noted that the trail currently has over a meter of snow, complicating search efforts. “I can’t indicate or confirm if there are still footprints that they are following,” she stated.
The initial report of the missing hiker came to light around 11 p.m. on Saturday. Dufour is believed to have adequately prepared for his hike, packing multiple layers of clothing, winter gear, snowshoes, a headlamp, and a stove along with noodles.
Weather conditions are affecting search operations, as aviation teams have yet to determine if they can utilize helicopters due to the ongoing storms. Currently, a winter weather advisory is in place, forecasting further snowfall from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday night.
Laura Baker, a licensed outdoor guide in New York, expressed some optimism about survival under the current conditions, stating that the weather is “survivable with the right skills, outdoor knowledge, and calmness.” She emphasized the importance of preparation in such challenging scenarios, referencing previous instances of survival in similar situations.
Baker also cautioned against hiking alone, advising solo hikers to follow safety recommendations, including signing in at trailhead kiosks and informing a trusted individual about their hiking route and expected return time.
Source
www.cbc.ca