Crews endured harsh conditions to rescue two hikers who officials described as “ill equipped” and were suffering from severe hypothermia and frostbite on Mount Lafayette Friday night.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials, conservation officers received a report at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, December 12 of two hikers who had lost the trail as they descended from the summit of Mount Lafayette on the Greenleaf Trail.
One of the hikers had reportedly injured themselves in a fall and claimed that he could not continue due to a lower leg injury. They were still above tree line and were exposed to heavy winds, temperatures around 10 degrees, and waist-deep snow.
Officials said the two hikers lost their composure and would not listen to any advice being given to them. A rescue party comprised of conservation officers and volunteers from the Pemigewassett Valley Search and Rescue Team was assembled and started the nearly four-mile climb at 11:25 p.m.
With one hiker reportedly suffering from severe hypothermia and slipping in and out of consciousness, rescuers called the Army National Guard to determine the feasibility of a helicopter rescue. A crew assembled in Concord and arrived in Franconia Notch at around 2:30 a.m. but were unable to get to the two hikers because of cloud cover at around 3,700 feet.
At 2:45 a.m., the first rescue team arrived on site with the two hikers. They were able to get them warmed up and provide additional clothing and by 3 a.m. they had started back to the Greenleaf Trail.
Officials said the leg injury initially reported by the hikers was not as significant as had been reported.
By 5:30 a.m., the rescue party arrived at the trailhead and the Army National Guard Helicopter returned to Concord when it was learned that the hikers would be able to hike out with assistance.
The two hikers were able to drive themselves to a hospital and were treated for frostbite. Officials said the hikers were “ill equipped” for a hike of this magnitude and had departed for the nearly 9-mile Franconia loop at 1 p.m.
Officials said the hikers lacked appropriate clothing for a hike in the weather conditions they encountered and were navigating with a phone when they lost the trail.
“If hikers can not adhere to the hiker responsibility code as set forth by the HikeSafe program then they should consider staying home,” officials said in a Fish and Game press release. “Rescues of this magnitude and conditions put rescue personnel at great risk.”
