On Sunday, February 19, 2017 a 50 year old hiker was injured deep inside Plattekill Clove. At this time of the year, the Platte Clove (Devil's Kitchen) and Hell's Hole is filled with ice. But, with warm weather the ice becomes very unstable, and it can be very dangerous.
EMS was contacted around 11:30am on Sunday with a hiker with minor injuries. The Fire department and Rescue personnel responded. A rescue team with ropes and climbing experience was called in to extract the injured hiker.
Update on Rescue from the DEC: On Feb. 18 at 11:45 a.m., Greene County 911 called DEC requesting assistance in Platte Cove for a climber who had fallen approximately 15 feet and had a piece of ice fall on him. Responding Rangers established Incident Command and assessed the injured subject, determining no cervical spine precautions were needed. Palenville Fire Department, Hunter Fire and Police departments, Centerville Cedar Grove Fire Department, and Greene County Paramedics also responded. The subject was assisted out under his own power and declined further medical care. All Forest Rangers were clear of the scene at 2:53 p.m.