Two unprepared hikers were rescued from Vermont’s Mount Mansfield on Sunday, November 2nd, after getting caught on the Hellbrook Trail after dark. They had reached the summit but had departed late in the day, so they were unable to return to the base of the mountain before sundown.
Stowe Mountain Rescue assisted the duo and was able to get them down the mountain without injury, but the organization points out several key components that the hikers were missing that could have made for a successful outing.
The hikers lacked technical clothing, wearing cotton hoodies and sweatpants that can literally freeze solid and provide zero insulation when saturated. They also lacked the necessary footwear, with winter conditions higher up on the mountain bringing 6-8 inches of snow on the trail. Four-season hiking boots with microspikes for the ice are essential this time of year.
Lastly the group lacked headlamps. As the days get shorter, headlamps are an absolute essential while hiking. Once it gets dark out, mountain trails in winter conditions can become a serious danger.
The two hikers likely learned quite a lot about preparing for a backcountry adventure through their mistakes, and hopefully the next time they head into the mountains they’ll be carrying the right gear.
