On Saturday, November 22nd, at 3:16pm, New Hampshire Fish and Game was alerted to an injured hiker on Monadnock State Park‘s White Cross Trail about 1 mile from the trailhead.
The hiker was a 41-year-old woman from North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She had suffered a lower-leg injury while descending the White Cross Trail from the summit. She was with her boyfriend at the time of the injury, who contacted 911.
A Monadnock State Park Mountain Patrol Ranger responded to the scene with medical equipment and was able to splint the injured ankle. Because she was unable to bear any weight on her injured leg, the ranger decided the hiker would need to be carried out in a litter.
Crews from New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers, volunteers from the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources State Park employees, and other bystanders who happened to be hiking in the area at the time of the incident began moving up the White Cross Trail at 4:15pm.
The rescue crew was able too secure the 41-year-old in a litter and carry her back to the trailhead, arriving at around 6:30pm. She turned down ambulance report and was driven to the hospital by her boyfriend.
Both individuals were experienced hikers and were well prepared for the day hike to the summit of Mt. Monadnock, but New Hampshire Fish and Game reminds all hikers to prepare before venturing out into the wilderness, including packing a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants, and a knife.
