Three hikers from Massachusetts were rescued by a rescue team comprised of New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers and volunteers with the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team in the area of Mount Lincoln on Sunday, February 9.
According to a news release from New Hampshire Fish and Game, the agency was made aware of an SOS alert from the area around 5:30pm, with an alert coming in from a Garmin device. Calls were made to emergency contacts for the device and rescuers learned that the group was attempting a winter hike of the Falling Waters/Bridle Path Loop.
It was eventually learned that the group members were suffering cold related injuries and white out conditions, stating that they needed help thru a text. A team of rescuers departed with tracking info showing that the three men were slowly heading towards the summit of Mount Lafayette.
The first rescuers started up the Old Bridle Path around 7:30pm, hoping to meet the hikers as they started a slow hike down Mount Lafayette towards the Greenleaf Hut. First rescuers came in contact with the group around 9:10pm, and rescuers provided additional light source to the men as they continued down to the trail head. They were back at the trailhead without further incident at 10:20pm.
While the three, all 24 to 25 years old, admitted to panicking when they activated the SOS, they were quite well prepared and made pretty good decisions through the incident. They departed around 9am for the hike, but were slowed by deep snow along the Franconia Ridge. White out conditions made the trail difficult to follow, and when they got over Mount Lincoln they decided turning back wasn’t the right decision. They understood it would take hours for the rescuers to reach their location once the SOS was activated, and while they lacked winter experience above treeline, they were fairly well prepared for the conditions. They also had a Hike Safe Card, and were appreciative of the quick response and efforts of the rescuers that took them away from friends and family on Super Bowl Sunday.
Winter conditions are heavy in the mountains this time of year, and hikers should be prepared for the weather. Make sure to pack the ten essential items, including a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets & pants, and a knife. Learn more at www.hikeSafe.com
