Two teen hikers who officials described as unprepared and intoxicated are likely to be billed after being rescued on Mount Monadnock Friday night.
The two hikers reportedly found themselves in trouble after they started their hike after nightfall, became wet when they fell into a brook, and did not have proper gear.
New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said conservation officers received a report of hikers in distress on the Ferry Spring Trail of Mount Monadnock at roughly 10 p.m. on Friday, December 19.
A hiker was attempting to provide aid to two hikers in distress. The two hikers had reportedly fallen into a brook and were wet and freezing.
Officials said high winds, dropping temperatures, and the soaking wet clothes created a situation for life-threatening cold weather injuries. New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers along with volunteers with the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team responded for a rescue effort.
The two hikers in distress were reportedly both 18 years old and had no food, water, warm clothes, change of clothes, or any cold weather gear.
The first rescuers reached the pair of hikers at approximately 11 p.m. One of the hikers was able to walk down the mountain under his own power with assistance back to a vehicle to warm up. The other hiker, however, was unable to move and was suffering from cold weather injuries.
Rescue crews got the second hiker out of his frozen clothes and began to warm him up. It was also found that the hikers had started their hike at 5:30 p.m. (after dark). Along with the second hiker’s cold weather issues, officials said he was heavily intoxicated.
Rescue crews were able to warm the second hiker enough that he could be assisted to an awaiting ambulance with Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial ambulance service around 2 a.m. and taken to a local ambulance.
That hiker was charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol and officials said they will recommend that the hiking pair be billed for the rescue.
Despite being just over 3,000 feet, Monadnock has been the site of several rescues this fall.
In November, crews performed three rescues in three days on the mountain.
