FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • The Queens Courier 39 Middle Village hiker rescued on Hawaiian volcano BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA ctumola@queenscourier.com A Queens man is lucky to be alive after a snowstorm stranded the hiker near the summit of a Hawaiian volcano. Alex Sverdlov, 36, a Middle Village resident and Brooklyn College professor, began climbing Mauna Loa, on the Big Island, on Sunday January 26, the National Park Service (NPS) said. He reached the 13,677-foot summit on Tuesday, January 28, after dropping off his heavy gear at a lower elevation, but, as he was descending, a snowstorm struck. That night, Sverdlov tried to find the gear he left behind, but was unsuccessful, the NPS said. With only the clothes he had on for protection and a bottle of frozen water, he decided to stay put until sunrise. He managed to locate his pack Wednesday morning, but was forced to spend another night on Mauna Loa. Sverdlov, who had successfully climbed the volcano last winter, was “worried that he’d die” there, said the NPS. “I’ve done many crazy hikes, but this one pretty much tops the bill,” Sverdlov said. But the local park rangers hadn’t forgotten about him. They first tried to call Sverdlov’s cell phone, but couldn’t reach him. They then located his car on Mauna Loa Road, and when they saw it was still there Wednesday, rangers launched a helicopter search, locating him by 9 a.m. Thursday. Rescued hiker Alex Sverdlov (middle) stands with his rescuers, park ranger John Broward (right) and park ranger Tyler Paul (left). “What saved Alex is that he had a backcountry permit, so we knew he was up there. He is extremely fit and he stayed calm,” said John Broward, who serves as the park’s search-and-rescue coordinator. Despite the near-death experience, Sverdlov is not giving up his hiking adventures. The same afternoon he was rescued, he NPS Photo/J.Ferracane applied for another backcountry permit, for the park’s remote coastal area, the NPS said. “This time I’m going to the sunny part of the park,” Sverdlov said. Incredible Support That Will Never Be Forgotten Sinai Chapels respects all Jewish traditions and customs, has a compassionate staff that is second to none, and has three generations of experience serving New York’s Jewish families. Preplanning Sinai Preplanning protects your family from unexpected expenses and making complex choices at a most difficult time. Your wishes are reflected in a unique and personal service. Costs are reasonable, all budgets are accommodated, and your investment is FDIC insured. Our staff Rabbi is available to answer your questions. For a no obligation consultation at our office or in your home, please call us. Sinai Chapels 162-05 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 718.445.0300 or 800.446.0406 We are here 24 hours, to serve your family. We offer FDIC insured pre-planning. www.JewishFunerals.com
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