An exhausted hiker who fell several times and had to be rescued in New Hampshire’s Great Gulf Wilderness Sunday was experienced and well-equipped for the hike, according to rescuers.
New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers received a report on Saturday night, July 5 that the hiker, Katherine Hudson, 30, of Danbury, Connecticut, had become exhausted and fell several times that evening, suffering minor injuries. She was in the upper area of the Great Gulf Trail.
She was not requesting immediate rescue at the time, but notifiying authorities of her situation. However, she followed that in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 6, by sending a text that she was cold and feared hypothermia.
Conservation Officers responded early Sunday morning by driving up the Auto Road and accessing Great Gulf Trail from the top. They hiked down a treacherously slippery rock scree field and located Hudson in the same location as her initial 911 text.
Hudson was provided with warm fluids, food, and warm clothing. After being given time to rewarm and replenish calories, Hudson and the conservation officers hiked back up the rock scree field and made it back to the Auto Road by 11:30 a.m.
Officials said Hudson is an avid hiker who did possess a Hike Safe card and carried all the 10 essentials recommended by the program.
They said those essentials were instrumental in Hudson making it unscathed through a chilly night perched on the side of a rock slide at 4,600-foot elevation without suffering from more serious injuries.
Officials said the condition of the trail, exhaustion, and fearing serious injury by continuing down the rocky slide were the main contributing factors resulting in this rescue response.
