More than 20 hikers who were unprepared for winter conditions atop Mount Washington had to be taken down the mountain on the Cog Railway on Saturday.
According to a Facebook post by in a New Hampshire 4000-footer Facebook group by Andy Vilaine, assistant general manager of the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the railway transported more than 20 ill-prepared hikers from the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, October 25.
“Summits at or certainly above 4000 feet have full winter conditions,” wrote Vilaine. “Many [hikers] were hypothermic and without gear even near suitable for the conditions.”
He added most of the hikers had no idea that summit services would be unavailable and that the state park had closed for the season.
He said a few indicated it was their first hike ever.
Vilaine encouraged hikers to do research before venturing out and emphasized that weather conditions are now present in the region’s high peaks.
“Do not assume services or a ride down,” he wrote. “The summit is halfway.”
