Local Rescue Crews Repel 120 Feet Down To Save Stranded Climbers

Platte Clove Preserve: 208-acres Of Trails and Waterfalls in Greene County

The Hudson Valley and the Catskills are known for their hiking trails.

One of the more popular and scenic trails is at Platte Clove Preserve in the Town of Hunter in Greene County. Platte Clove is made up of 208-acres of hiking trails, waterfalls and history.

According to its website, Platte Clove Preserve was donate to the Catskill Center by the Griswold Family in 1975 "for the permanent protection of the flora, fauna and geologic and historic features on the property."

Platte Clove is part of the eastern Catskill Escarpment and "has been gouged by glaciers and carved by steams."

There are some rules that guest must follow while visiting, like visiting by foot travel only (no bikes, motorized vehicles or horses), no loud music or disturbances, and take all trash with you "Carry in, carry out."

Additionally, there is no swimming, camping, fires, ice/rock climbing, hunting or collecting of natural, cultural and or historic materials.

Unfortunately, some recent visitors did not abide by the rules of Platte Clove Preserve.

Rock Climbers Rescued at Platte Clove Preserve

Around 7 pm on Monday night October 13th, 2025, Twin Cloves Technical Rescue Team was call in to the Tannersville Fire District help 2 stranded rock climbers in the Platte Clove Preserve area.

Cedar Grove Fire Company wrote on Facebook "Upon arrival Tannersville command advised that they were still trying to locate the victims."

The climbers were later located 120-feet "down a vertical face," Thankfully, both climbers were in good heath, with no injuries.

Additional rescue teams along with the Twin Cloves Tech Rescue Team and the City of Kingston Fire Department "established a rope system utilizing a twin tension system to haul the stranded climbers up out of the ravine to safety."

The statement details the rescue further writing "A rescuer repelled approximately 120' down into the ravine to access the climbers" adding:

The climbers were attached to the system and hoisted to the top of the ravine. Both climbers were turned over to Greene County Medics and Hunter Ambulance for evaluation and both were ok.

All in all the rescue took about one and a half hours.

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