A hiker who had no map is likely to be billed for the cost of his rescue after he became lost on Garfield Ridge in New Hampshire Thursday night.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials, conservation officers received a report of a hiker needing assistance on Garfield Ridge shortly before midnight on Thursday, May 1.
Coordinates placed the hiker just north of the Skookumchuk Trail on Garfield Ridge. The hiker had reportedly encountered snow and ice on the trail, making progress difficult.
Due to heavy winds and rain, the hiker had taken shelter under a tent fly.
Conservation officers and volunteers from Pemi Valley Search and Rescue started up the Skookumchuk Trail at 1:30 a.m. and reached the hiker’s location 4.2 miles from the trailhead at 4:20 a.m.
The hiker was guided back to the Skookumchuk Trail and made it to the trailhead at 9:35 a.m. He was uninjured and was taken back to his vehicle at Lafayette Place.
The hiker was identified as Edward Pimental, 39, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Pimental had reportedly started his hike on Wednesday by going up Falling Waters Trail and spending the night along the trail. He decided to hike to Franconia Ridge Thursday morning and then took the wrong trail from the summit of Mount Lafayette and continued north towards Garfield Ridge.
He didn’t have a map, so he was reporetdly unsure of his location and how to get out. He was unable to set up his shelter and was getting cold and wet when he decided to call 911 for help.
Pimental reportedly admitted to rescuers that he was unprepared for the hike and failed to do proper research.
Officials said he will likely be billed for the rescue.
