Rescuers spent significant time setting up ropes and trying to cross swollen waterways.
Rain and melting snow created dangerous conditions for crews during an overnight rescue of a hiker on Mount Moriah in New Hampshire on Sunday.
At roughly 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, New Hampshire Fish and Game officials received a call from a hiker who said she was mired in snow and being pelted by rain three miles into the woods off of Route 16.
The hiker said that during her hours of hiking that day, the deep snow on the trail had become increasing soft, causing her to sink, even in snowshoes.
She said she had fallen many times, gotten soaked, and was dealing with an increasingly painful leg injury. The hiker also said she had a little gear left but had used most of what she had, and that everything was becoming soaked in the steady rain.
A rescue team of four conservation officers and 11 volunteers from the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue team (AVSAR) responded to assist.
Rescuers began hiking up the Stoney Brook Trail shortly after 9 p.m. and slogged their way through the soft snow toward the hiker.
At 11:15 p.m., the first crew of rescuers located the hiker a short distance from the Stoney Brook Trail/Carter-Moriah Trail intersection. The hiker was immediately given first aid and given warm, dry clothing to wear. After being warmed up, she was able to hike with assistance back towards Route 16.
During the rescue effort, rain fell steadily and melted snow. Rescuers reportedly had to spend significant time setting up ropes and figuring out how to cross brooks that had swollen to torrents.
The rising of the brooks was both visible and audible as rescuers worked, and the roar of the swollen streams became more noticeable as the night wore on.
After hours of hard work and careful maneuvering, the rescue crew arrived safely at the roadside with the hiker at 4:18 a.m. on Monday, March 17.
Officials said the hiker, who had walked with assistance the entire way down, was found to be uninjured and was reunited with a loved one in Gorham following the ordeal.
The hiker was identified as Lauren Poole, 33, of Manchester, New Hampshire. Officials said Poole was an avid hiker, but a novice when it came to hiking in spring conditions.
Conservation officers said hikers at this time of year should be extremely cognizant of rapidly changing conditions in the mountains. Soft snow, wet everything, and rapidly rising brooks present hidden dangers that are usually less obvious than snow and cold.