A hiker who became stranded after heavy rains caused waterways to swell was rescued in New Hampshire over the weekend.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials, conservation officers received a report of an overdue hiker from Lincoln Woods at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26.
The solo, 19-year-old male hiker had reportedly departed on Friday afternoon intending a two-day hike to Owl’s Head.
Heavy rains throughout Saturday had caused water crossings to swell, making them unsafe to cross.
A team of conservation officers was sent to check the likeliest crossings of Franconia and Lincoln Brook. By early Sunday morning, no sign of the hiker was found and a call was made to Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team (SAR) for additional assistance in the search.
At around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, a trail runner spotted the missing hiker from the Lincoln Brook Trail and Franconia Brook crossing, about 4.8 miles from Lincoln Woods.
The missing hiker was able to signal that he was okay, but he could not safely cross the water. The trail runner was able to relay this information to Pemi SAR personnel who were nearby.
Officers contacted Mountain Rescue Service and the White Mountain Swiftwater Team to have them respond in case rescuers could not find a way to safely cross the Franconia Brook.
By 12:30 p.m., a group of Pemi SAR members were able to locate a safe area to ford the brook, made their way to the area of the hiker, and eventually back to the safety of the Lincoln Brook Trail.
Just before 2 p.m., the hiker and rescue party arrived back at Lincoln Woods. The hiker was reunited with his family and identified as Ryan O’Shea of New Ipswich, New Hampshire.
O’Shea told officers that he had little difficulty crossing both Franconia and Lincoln Brook on Friday evening, but with the rain and snowmelt occurring throughout Saturday, he had become trapped between the two brooks.
He was unaware of the Black Pond Bushwhack, which officials said is a much safer route to Owl’s Head that avoids water crossings.
He took shelter in his tent from Saturday afternoon until he observed the trail runner late Sunday morning.
Officials said O’Shea used good judgement in not attempting the water crossings alone and was very grateful for the assistance he received.
