New Hampshire Fish and Game urges hikers to prepare; avoid winter rescues
The arrival of bitterly cold temperatures to the region poses risks to anyone who isn't properly prepared for the conditions, but the summits of the White Mountains and other Northern New England elevations will bring even greater dangers.
Last Saturday, two skiers from Eastern Massachusetts got lost in blizzard-like conditions on Mount Moosilauke. By the time they called for help, they were waist-deep in snow, had 2% of their phone's battery remaining, and no extra layers in their bag or a light to see their way down.
Kevin Jordan, Law Enforcement Chief with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, said scenarios like this are all too common.
Each year, the Department conducts an average of 190 search and rescue missions, many of them happening in winter when conditions at the summit can be unforgiving.
"They underestimate weather conditions, because I'll tell you, I did it," Jordan said. "I was born and brought up in New Hampshire, and so I went up on Mount Washington in the middle of the winter for my first rescue some 30 years ago wearing this uniform, I had no idea the weather could get that bad that fast."
Jordan said unpreparedness is the number one enemy to a safe hike or backcountry ski trip. A dying headlamp or cell phone can leave you stranded, and if you aren't with a partner or haven't told anyone else about your plans, the rescuers trying to save you are at an immediate disadvantage.
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"They get into these circumstances after a two-hour hike, what they struggle to understand is that it's going to take us two hours or more to get to you," Jordan said. "If you're already in trouble and you make that call, you've got some time before anyone is going to get there to do anything for you."
New Hampshire Fish and Game works in collaboration with the White Mountain National Forest to release information for people on safe hiking practices and preparation. The program, called Hike Safe, advises people to be prepared with knowledge and gear, informing others of your plans, staying together with a group, turning back in unsafe conditions, and having a deep understanding of how to handle emergency situations.
Jordan said viral videos of backcountry skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities combined with more people getting outdoors during the pandemic has kept rescuers busy.
As new hikers test their skills, he wants them to know that with resources like Hike Safe, it's never been easier to know what you're getting into.
"The website has a lot of great information on different safety gear that you should have at a bare minimum, it's a recommendation of things to keep you out of trouble," Jordan said. "The Appalachian Mountain Club has some outstanding reference books that are available online and at a bunch of different locations throughout the state that talk about everything from where to park your car to trail conditions."
Jordan doesn't want to discourage people from trying out a winter hike, he just wants to see more common sense. Being prepared for your journey pays off for everyone.
"These weather conditions are survivable, we do it all the time," Jordan said. "You just have to get the proper training and proper equipment to do it. We want people to come up, but we want them to go home Sunday night safe to their family."
