Two Canadian hikers lost in the Adirondack High Peaks spent a frigid night in the snowy wilderness before being rescued by rangers.
State environmental officials say the two 21-year-old hikers from Kirkland, Quebec, became disoriented on the 5,344-foot summit of Mt. Marcy, New York's highest peak.
Miquel Martin and Marie-Pier Leduc bushwhacked their way down to a gorge and started a fire to keep warm amid temperatures that dipped below zero.
A team of 14 forest rangers dispatched before dawn Tuesday trudged through snow up to three feet deep and found the hikers' tracks by 8:30 a.m.
The hikers were rescued after being spotted by helicopter and did not require any medical treatment.
The hikers did not have skis or snowshoes, a map, compass or GPS unit . The DEC is cautioning hikers to wear proper clothing and follow safety guidelines for winter hiking in the Adirondacks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
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