You’d think by now people would learn.

You’d think they’d use some common sense, or at least exercise self preservation.

But each winter, dozens of hikers have to be rescued from rural mountain areas in the Catskills and Adirondacks because they fail to properly prepare for conditions, overestimate their abilities and underestimate how quickly a casual hike can turn into a life-threatening disaster.

Last year, state forest rangers conducted 362 search-and-rescue missions — almost one for every day of the year. Those rescues often require the assistance of local emergency responders, volunteer search-and-rescue groups and other state agencies, as well as equipment like ATVs and even helicopters and planes.........

© The Leader Herald