Rescue crews waded through miles of deep snow while navigating off-trail, steep terrain to rescue an injured skier in New Hampshire yesterday.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials, conservation officers were notified of an injured Nordic skier on the Avalanche Brook Trail in Sargent’s Purchase at 11:55 a.m. on Monday, February 9.
The skier was part of a group who had started at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (PNVC) and were intending to ski south to the Rocky Branch parking lot. About halfway between the two locations, a male skier suffered an unknown leg injury that prevented him from continuing. The injury occurred more than two miles from PNVC and 3.2 miles from the Rocky Branch Trailhead. A member of the group called 911.
While awaiting rescuers, group members placed the injured skier into a sleeping bag with multiple layers and started a fire to keep him warm. Rescuers said the group was very prepared for the ski trip they were attempting.
Conservation officers and volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue (AVSAR) responded. Conservation officers attempted to reach the patient via the Rocky Branch Trailhead by using snowmobiles, while an initial AVSAR member snowshoed up from Route 16 in deep snow to access the location and provide initial medical care.
The snowmobiles reportedly could not make it to the skier, so all other responding rescue personnel had to hike up off trail via steep terrain from Route 16 near the Pinkham’s Grant/Jackson town line.
Once the rescuers arrived on scene, the 63-year-old injured skier was placed in a litter and carried down through the off-trail access to the side of Route 16, arriving at 5:15 p.m.
The skier opted to forgo an ambulance and sought medical care on his own.
