An “extremely” hypothermic hiker with frozen limbs had to be rescued by helicopter after he got stuck in several feet of snow on a mountain in New Hampshire on Thursday morning, officials said.
The hiker, who officials identified as a 28-year-old man from Portland, Maine, was on his way to the summit of Mount Lafayette to watch the sunrise when he encountered deep blowing snow and decided to come back down, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.
Officials said the hiker couldn’t find the trail as he descended the mountain due to howling winds and frigid temperatures, eventually calling 911 for help from an area 1,000 feet off the trail just below the summit of Little Haystack on Franconia Ridge.
A call was made to the Army National Guard around 10 a.m. in hopes that an airlift could be performed, but poor visibility due to snow squalls and clouds delayed the rescue, officials said.
When a ground crew reached the hike about three hours later, he was said to be “extremely” hypothermic. He was given shelter, dry clothing, and warm fluids.
At about 3:15 p.m., the clouds lifted and the Army National Guard lowered a medic and hoisted the hiker into the helicopter, officials said.
“This aerial rescue saved a multi-hour carryout through rugged terrain and is a testament to how search-and-rescue works in New Hampshire with several different groups working together for a common goal,” Fish and Game said in a statement.
Fish and Game warned hikers that “winter conditions have arrived in the mountains” and urged them to be prepared for their trek by packing essential items including a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first-aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets, pants, and a knife.
The hiker was flown to Littleton Regional Healthcare for additional treatment.
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