[Ymers] Fwd: MISSING HIKERS FOUND IN FRANCONIA NOTCH; ONE DEAD

[Jennifer Eaton]

Being prepared for anything in winter is no joke.  Thank-you Tim for all the
extras you do carry.

Jen
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sharon Foster <sharon_foster2 at yahoo.com>
Date: Feb 12, 2008 10:35 AM
Subject: MISSING HIKERS FOUND IN FRANCONIA NOTCH; ONE DEAD
To: AMC EC <execworc at amcworcester.org>


Tragic - Re-inforces how important is it to be prepared especially in
Winter....

MISSING HIKERS FOUND IN FRANCONIA NOTCH; ONE DEAD

CONCORD, N.H. - Two hikers missing on Mt. Lafayette were found about 7:30
p.m. yesterday evening (February 11, 2008) by a 7-man rescue team of New
Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers and members of
Mountain Rescue Service. Laurence Fredrickson, age 55, of South
Sutton, N.Hwas pronounced dead at the Littleton Hospital a short time
after his
arrival. James Osborne, age 36, of Manchester, N.H., was last reported to be
in critical condition suffering from severe hypothermia and frostbite.
Osborne was airlifted from Littleton Hospital to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center in Lebanon.

The search team that found the hikers (one of six teams involved in the
mission) had started up the Falling Waters Trail at 1:30 p.m. Searchers had
to alternate breaking trail through deep snow; it took 6 hours of difficult
hiking to reach the summit of Little Haystack Mountain. Weather conditions
during the search effort consisted of sub-zero temperatures and strong
winds.

The hikers were found near each other, close to the summit of Little
Haystack Mountain (altitude 4,800 feet), about 200 feet north of the
intersection of the Falling Waters and Franconia Ridge trails. Fredrickson
was lying near the trail in an unresponsive condition with his pack still on
his back. Osborne was found a short distance away, near some scrub trees,
and was in a semi-comatose state.

According to New Hampshire Fish and Game Lieutenant Todd Bogardus, it
appears that both hikers were equipped only for a day hike and did not have
adequate winter gear for overnight or for the severe winter conditions
encountered. They reportedly did not have snowshoes, which was a
prerequisite for the snow conditions on most of the trails, especially below
the treeline.

By the time the hikers had been found, the Army National Guard Blackhawk
Helicopter had already returned to Concord and was in the process of being
garaged in the hangar. They immediately reactivated to return to the search
area. Despite high winds and dangerous nighttime conditions, they were able
to land twice on the summit of Little Haystack Mountain to retrieve the
victims and exhausted rescuers.

The helicopter first retrieved Osborne and one Fish and Game rescue team
member at 8:50 p.m. A second trip was accomplished at 9:35 p.m., when
Fredrickson was evacuated, along with the rest of the rescue team members at
the summit.

A total of 24 experienced mountaineers from N.H. Fish and Game, Mountain
Rescue Service and Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue were involved in
this mission. Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team Members also
responded to the scene to participate in the later stages of the rescue.
Teams searched the following trail systems adjacent to Franconia Notch:
Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path, Falling Waters Trail, Liberty Springs
Trail, Skookumchuck Trail and the Pemigewasset Wilderness Trail. Rescue
teams were still making their way back out as late as 11:30 p.m. last night.

"This tragic situation, once again, underscores the importance of proper
planning and the need for appropriate equipment when winter hiking," said
Col. Jeffrey Gray, Chief of Law Enforcement at Fish and Game. "Individuals
must carefully evaluate and acknowledge their physical limitations and level
of experience. Winter hikers should not hesitate to turn back or postpone
outings when severe weather is predicted or encountered. Even the best of
clothing and equipment may be no match for the severe winter weather often
encountered in New Hampshire's White Mountains!"

The two hikers had been reported missing on Monday morning (February 11,
2008) when they failed to show up for work at Concord Trailways. A vehicle
registered to Fredrickson was located at the Falling waters trailhead in
Franconia Notch and that, along with information from coworkers, led
officials to believe that the itinerary was to ascend Mt. Haystack via the
Falling Waters trail, traverse the Franconia Ridge Trail to Mt. Lafayette
and then descend to the trailhead via the Old Bridle Path, a total distance
of approximately 9 miles. Fredrickson had some winter hiking experience, and
Osborne is described as a novice winter hiker.

No further information is available at this time.

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