New Hampshire officials are warning hikers that snowy, icy conditions persist in the White Mountains after they rescued an injured hiker yesterday.
On Saturday, May 30, just after 8 p.m., New Hampshire Fish and Game officials received a report through 911 that there was an injured woman descending the Bridle Path in Franconia.
Over the course of the day, the hiker had reportedly fallen several times on the slippery trail and was now reporting that she could no longer continue because of multiple injuries. A team of conservation officers and volunteers from Pemi Valley Search and Rescue responded to the trailhead.
Passing hikers had assisted the injured woman by piggybacking her down the trail until they encountered the rescue team approximately one mile from the trailhead. Her injuries were assessed and it was determined that with assistance she could hobble down the trail.
At 10 p.m., the rescue party reached the trailhead. The injured woman, identified as 24-year-old Hannah Walsh of Quincy, Massachusetts, was taken by companion hikers to a hospital for further assessment of her injuries.
Fish and Game officials said hikers should keep in mind that there is still ice and snow that can be encountered on many hiking trails in New Hampshire and that all hikers should prepare accordingly for those conditions. Microspikes are still a necessity as the trails packed over the winter are last to thaw causing icy traveling.