Hiker stranded due to high water conditions in the Cascade Brook Trail area.
Unless you are local, or do a LOT of research, it's hard to know exactly what river crossings are going to be a problem, at exactly what time of day, after a certain exact amount of snow melt and rain.
I have not been in that area, but a quick look at the map shows that the AT crosses Whitehouse and Cascade Brooks there. The WMUR article doesn't say anything about where the hiker was from, which way they were going, are there bridges or not, how high are the bridges, how fast do those particular brooks rise, or any of the hiker decision making. So I can't really assess what happened until there is a LOT more information. Just the fact that it was going to warm up and rain doesn't mean anything, by itself.
Unless you are local, or do a LOT of research, it's hard to know exactly what river crossings are going to be a problem, at exactly what time of day, after a certain exact amount of snow melt and rain.
I have not been in that area, but a quick look at the map shows that the AT crosses Whitehouse and Cascade Brooks there. The WMUR article doesn't say anything about where the hiker was from, which way they were going, are there bridges or not, how high are the bridges, how fast do those particular brooks rise, or any of the hiker decision making. So I can't really assess what happened until there is a LOT more information. Just the fact that it was going to warm up and rain doesn't mean anything, by itself.
Most likely one of these 2 crossings of Cascade Brook is my guess. No idea of the amount of research said hiker did but the crossing of Cascade Brook have been being discussed on hiking forums and FB for years. Judging by the width of the body of water in the rescue photo, it looks like the first photo. 2nd is of the washed out bridge. Irene?
This is a question for the knowledgeable. Lets say you did this hike thinking the rain was not going to be bad, or just plain didn't look at the forecast. OK, no one here would probably do that. Lets for arguments sake, say you did. So you now know you screwed up and the well documented (dangerous in high water) crossings below are going to be a problem. Would Fishing Jimmy have been a better option? Is the crossing of Cascade Brook at 3600' Bad in high water as well? I can't even recollect them meaning to me they are inconsequential. Heck, I don't even have a picture of them and I take a picture of everything. Just curious about that option even though it would have meant a 1.5 mile walk back to the car.
Unlikely, a flood WARNING means flooding is happening or inevitable at a particular location. a Flood WATCH means it might happen.Generally flood warnings are a good indication. All of NH was under a flood warning.
I am pretty sure there was flood warning for that area during at least part of that day, I agree the rest of the state would have been under flood watch. I looked around a bit and couldnt seem to locate a listing of recent flood warnings although I expect its out there.
I expect it was someone who was up here and wanted to go on an "easy" hike and didnt realize that where they were going had stream crossings that flood. Its not the first time folks have been trapped by Cascade Brook trail in high water conditions.
My understanding is that this was a backpacker who had stayed the previous night at Kinsman Pond.
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