:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GAFPJRUGRZGMDHWHQHGCCEXC7M.jpg)
Crews rescue hiker that fell 200 feet off Appalachian Trail in Rockbridge County
Multiple crews at work to locate lost hiker on Appalachian TrailROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – UPDATEFirst responders have rescued an injured hiker who fell from the icy Appalachian Trail, making this the third rescue like this along the trail over the weekend. Crews said the hiker fell about 200 feet off the mountain while hiking with a group. While a helicopter rescued the hiker, a few crews stepped through the snow to treat them on the ground. ORIGINAL STORYEmergency crews are working to locate a lost hiker Sunday afternoon in Rockbridge County. At about 3:15 p.m., the Big Island Volunteer Fire Company and Bedford County Special Operations Command were dispatched to another emergency rescue on the Appalachian Trail.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6K4AZCVPERC7PDJKGRB2KRZI3A.jpg)
Injured hiker rescued from McAfee Knob in Roanoke County
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Roanoke County Fire and Rescue units rescued an injured hiker Saturday afternoon. At about 12:15 p.m., crews were dispatched to the McAfee Knob parking lot for reports of an injured hiker who had fallen off the Sawtooth Trail, the Appalachian Trail connector trail from McAfee to Dragon’s Tooth. Authorities said the hiker was about a mile away from the parking lot and had fallen off the trail down a steep embankment, sustaining a head injury. The hiker was carried out and off the trail through steep, icy terrain and over a creek, exiting near The Homeplace Restaurant. According to Fire and Rescue, the patient was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries at about 2:40 p.m.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CARDX3DCBJBZFHTFMNCPIJWAZQ.png)
Here’s what you need to know about parking before you hike at McAfee Knob
ROANOKE, Va. – McAfee Knob is one of Roanoke’s hot spots for hiking, but with a high-volume of visitors comes issues with parking. Roanoke County wants to remind hikers that there are limited spots for parking in the area and parking in the wrong place can result in vehicles being ticketed or towed. Here are a few reminders from officers to visitors about parking:Parking in a way that restricts or blocks traffic is prohibited on all roads regardless of a “No Parking” signIf there’s no “No Parking” sign, you can park off the roadwayIf there’s a “No Parking” sign, parking there is prohibited and you may be ticketedVehicles improperly parked may be subject to towing at the towing companies' ratesPolice recommend to use the park and ride lots at:Intersection of Route 311 and Route 360Intersection of Route 419 and Route 11Interstate 81, Exit 140Other parking is available at Catawba CenterOver the next several weekends, VDOT will place portable message boards in the area to keep vehicles off the roadway.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/08-07-2020/t_6865f83a8c9f4c4e91eca0c46e2343ad_name_image.jpg)
Volunteer group selling t-shirts to raise money for McAfee Knob trailhead improvements
ROANOKE, Va. A group of volunteers is trying to raise money to improve the McAfee Knob trailhead. The Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club wants to raise about $200,000 to buy a 7-acre plot of land right next to the existing trailhead parking lot. VDOT construction on a new pedestrian bridge over Route 311 will eat up about 40% of the spots during that time. Thats why the clubs president, Jim Beeson, said its time to act before its too late. Its really a lost opportunity if we dont take advantage of it, said Beeson.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KCT5WLDDYVEDLF2JLHD5NSMN3Y.jpg)
Crews rescue 125-pound dog from McAfee Knob Trail after owner calls for help
A dog and his owner are safe after a scare on McAfee Knob Trail on Thursday. The department said that crews responded to the trail at about 12:20 p.m. to rescue Nikko, who had been hiking in 90 degree heat for several hours when his owner called for help. Nikko and his owner were safely off the trail at about 2 p.m., according to the department. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue said Nikko is an Akita who loves to hike, and this has never happened before with him. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue bought the piece of equipment used to save Nikko with money from a partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.