Lost hikers on Franconia Ridge

[poison ivy]

Here is the press release sent out by N.H. Fish & Game: (Mods, I hope it's okay to post this instead of link to it elsewhere since it's a press release.... if not, feel free to delete.)

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.H was 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.

 

[David Metsky]

Maybe someone can shed some light on why the Emergency Bivy gear that used to be placed just beside the boulder near the top of the Falling Waters trail is no longer put there in the winter, and who did it?

The last time I remember seeing it in place must have been at least ten years ago.

Could have been a life saver. Seems we all knew about it's location back in the eighties.

I hiked up there through the 80's and 90's and never heard about that cache.

 

[sardog1]

That's a helicopter crew that I wouldn't mind flying with! Kudos to them and to the Fish and Game and MRS folks, as well as all the others involved in this mission.

 

[Hillwalker]

Cache

I hiked up there through the 80's and 90's and never heard about that cache.

It was right beside the trail slightly under an overhanging ledge on the left just before breaking out of the Krumholtz. Is was marked with a big red cross and emergency use markings. Looked like an oversized duffel bag with a rubberized coating. One would only encounter it in the winter, and it would be gone in the early spring.

I think I first saw it about 1982-83 when I used to run the loop weekly.

 

[The-Green-Man]

I'd been hoping I turn on the radio and hear that they'd wandered out of the woods this morning - "cold but alive".

With no snowshoes I don't see how they made it that far (assuming there is lots of snow up there at the moment). Based on where they found them my guess (with the little information available) is that one of them MUST have been too exhausted to keep going, or simply colapsed before or after reaching Lincoln.

It always sends a chill down my spine when I hear of missing hikers in the winter. It's hard to put yourself in their position; how they felt while they struggled on through the cold. Ugh...

 

[TDawg]

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.

At Loon Mtn. at the time of the first squalls on Sunday visibility went to sh*t real fast. I mean within a minute it went from dumping snow straight down real peacefully to blowing real hard, whiteout. I'd suspect they were caught in the sudden squall, couldn't find their way (or couldn't move), and without proper gear were screwed. It's unfortunate they were caught so close to relative safety (treeline.)

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.

Without snowshoes they were probably exhausted (soaked with sweat?) even before reaching treeline.

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.

Ballsy, real ballsy.

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.

Pemigewasset Wilderness Trail = Lincoln Brook I assume?

"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!"

Amen.

Hopefully Osbourne makes it for his friends and family, also so he can learn from this experience and share it with others. Kudos to the SAR people.

 

[darren]

Hats off to SAR and ANG crews. Heroic effort.

- darren

 

[Darl58]

I was skiing at Cannon Sunday after hiking the Kinsman's on Saturday and the ridge was in the clouds all day. That wind and white-out conditions came really fast. One run we could see from the top and after that the wind picked up so bad you couldn't see to ski. We were feeling our way down the mountain.

Route 3 was closed down both directions due to accidents on both sides from the sudden white-out. We had to wait it out for hours. It was miserable out there!

I hope we get one breath of hope that he will survive. It's so sad to lose anyone. I hope I never have to experience what they must of had to deal with.

Prepared or not, it's a horrible situation!

My Prayers go out to the families!

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

What more can we do about warnings?

A couple of us on PVSART have begun a discussion about what more we might do about warnings, such as signs, etc. (I was not there, but on stand-by for this one). I was in Tucks on Sunday and can confirm the suddenness of the cold front's arrival, which others have noted in this thread.

I have hiked the area in winter for decades, but I guess that I missed the time frame when the rescue cache was located on Little Haystack. Personally, I am opposed to hikers relying on rescue caches, refuge rooms in huts, the Mount Washington Observatory, the old emergency shelter at Edmands Col, and the like, because I think that such safeguards might encourage folks to continue up rather than descend. But, obviously a rescue cache might allow rescuers to travel a little lighter knowing that a litter is available, for instance.

Near tree line on most trails in the Presidential Range, the old stark yellow warning signs are still readable most of the time in the winter, unless buried or plastered by snow. I think that the warning signs are needed CLOSE TO TREE LINE, and not at the base, where everyone is feeling bold and strong, having just left warm vehicles. Warning signs at the base of trails would only enhance the boldness factor, in my opinion. The fact that these two hikers got themselves above tree line in such horrendous snow and weather conditions without snowshoes suggests to me that they were bold and strong, but not bold and strong enough to survive a winter night out above tree line, and certainly not in the extreme conditions on Sunday night.

The HikeSafe program has been useful, but is there more that we can do?
Any other ideas out there?

 

[Tom Rankin]

A couple of us on PVSART have begun a discussion about what more we might do about warnings, ...

The HikeSafe program has been useful, but is there more that we can do?
Any other ideas out there?

There is always more to do, but it probably boils down to $$$, unfortunately. We could station a ranger at every trail head, and have them ascertain everyone is fit and prepared to hike that day.

We could be like BSP, and deny people access to the peaks on days when it is deemed too dangerous. Many would object, but lives could be saved.

This reminds me of the the thread about the 'safety bubble'. Some people think we are already too tightly controlled, and others want more laws and restrictions. You can't make everyone happy all the time.

 

[dave.m]

Any other ideas out there?

Interesting question.

One solution would be to put a fence around the Whites and strictly regulate who can take winter trips there a la Baxter State Park. Short of this, I think we have to accept people walking away from their cars and to their deaths as a predictable fact of life in the Whites.

I think we can safely say that risk perception and risk decisions are a complex blend of psychological factors. But even noting this gives me no clear guidance on how to reduce the likelihood of such stories.

I recently did a very standard, pedestrian even, ski trip in the Pemi. Out along the East Side Road down to the suspension bridge and back by the Wilderness Trail. Despite good weather and a strong experience party, we can within inches of spending the night in the woods. I could blame worse than expected snow conditions and that would be true. But what was also true is that we collectively made iffy choices on at least 3 occasions. Easy to see that in hindsight. Harder to recognize the folly when you're making the stupid choices.

Would better signage help? I'm not sure.

I would like to see a book that details and analyzes accidents from a professional's point of view. Would be harsh for the families and I'm sure 90% of us reading it would read it, nod and say, I'm glad I would never make *that* mistake. Harder to drive home the point that our decisions in the field can so easily go astray.

 

[TDawg]

Near tree line on most trails in the Presidential Range, the old stark yellow warning signs are still readable most of the time in the winter, unless buried or plastered by snow. I think that the warning signs are needed CLOSE TO TREE LINE, and not at the base, where everyone is feeling bold and strong, having just left warm vehicles.

Good point, any reason why there aren't the same signs approaching treeline on Franconia Ridge, Falling Waters, Greenleaf, Skookumchuck, or Garfield Ridge trails? Seems like this range has been claiming more people than the Presies in the last couple years. Do you think people take Lafayette lightly because it doesn't have such a notorious neighbor?

 

[erugs]

I don't see how much more we can do. Unfortunately, it is sad events such as this that help somewhat, in that we're all thinking more about each other's safety when tragedy strikes and thinking about what we could be doing better. Let's keep the conversations about safety going. No question is a stupid question. No study of what others are doing is too redundant. Be willing to put your two cents worth in on the trail (but try not to be obnoxious about it, like "How much further? About an hour. It's going to be dark by the time you get back to this point. Do you have a flashlight?"). When co-workers or friends ask about times such as this, stress the need for safety and give examples of what experiences you've learned from to help get the word out. "I remember the time I...and was very fortunate to have learned an important lesson."

I remember the time I had just begun hiking as an adult. I realized my pack was too small when people in the group made comments about the "cute, little pack I had" and asked if I was warm enough near the summit. (I said I was, but really I wasn't.) And now people ask, "How long will you be out for?" with the response, "Just a day hike, but I like to be prepared."

 

[WinterWarlock]

The HikeSafe program has been useful, but is there more that we can do?
Any other ideas out there?

Well - I don't hike in NH, but knowing this site and program existed would be useful...there ought to be a way to a) get the word out, and b) get other regions to do something similar. So is there more we can do - continue with education, and spread the word. LNT is a huge into education - I would think HikeSafe could do the same. As an example - have people bring this into ADK chapter meetings...

LNT does train-the-trainer programs...I would suggest HS to consider the same sort of thing...

 

[peakbagger]

I was out doing a local hike Sunday and had planned a short trip to be out of the woods before noon. It was starting to flurry a bit while driving down thru Pinkhams notch but as I drove along, my "weather radar" (in my head) was going off. Coming back through the notch an hour later it was white out conditions and the snow was horizontal. It reminds me of a similiar day several years back when a fast front came by several hours early on a Sunday in winter. We were climbing up Wildcat from RT 16 and the wind started whipping and the temp dropped 20 degrees in about an hour. We started out in the sun and by the time we got back to the car, the winds were howling and driving was difficult. I was hoping that the results from this Sunday wouldnt mirror the results from the earlier event, one dead ice climber and I think one who lost his legs when they got trapped on top of Huntington's with no bivy gear in a fully exposed spot. Unfortunately it looks like it has happened again.

Barring requiring a "winter hikers license" or requiring the Baxter routine, I just dont see how the trails can be made safer without impacting a persons right to make a decision be it informed or ill informed. Hike Safe is a good concept but unfortunately it probably is "preaching to the choir".

 

[Gris]

Tragic

i hope the other guy makes it. hats off to SAR. looks like the spirit of Joe Dodge is still alive and well in the Whites...

 

[Andrew]

I, for one, never heard of it so if it was there it would do me no good. But I can imagine just like any good thing out there for emergency use would be abused by those who figure on using it because it’s there without there being an emergency, so if needed in emergency it would be gone or useless.

An alumminum vandal/ weather/ rodent resistant cache was established near the summit of Monadnock a few years back. Accessible only by rescuers or possibly hikers could be led to it by cell phone and provided the combo. Signage asking not to tamper- rescue gear enclosed, alas attempts to vandalize were discovered within the first year.

I'm always amazed how even "experienced" hikers don't consider eye protection when the conditions are apparent with the expected forecast. Seen more searches as a result of this than any other factor, although not always the case. It's odd that the one sense we rely so heavily upon in our day to day lives- is the one often not considered. This may have not been the greatest factor in this case, but should always be a primary consideration.

This is another disturbing event, so glad no rescuers were lost, and another heroic effort from so many professional volunteers.

 

[zman]

Interesting question.

I would like to see a book that details and analyzes accidents from a professional's point of view. Would be harsh for the families and I'm sure 90% of us reading it would read it, nod and say, I'm glad I would never make *that* mistake. Harder to drive home the point that our decisions in the field can so easily go astray.

"Appalachia Archives Accident Reports
This popular feature appears in every issue and reports on hiking accidents in the White Mountains, analyzes each accident, and suggests safety guidelines."
http://www.outdoors.org/publications/appalachia/appalachia-archives.cfm

I have found these reports very sobering and helpful- certainly brings up the feeling that I've almost been there myself.

 

[dentonfabrics]

I found it interesting to read the comments of the readers regarding this tragedy at the Union Leader website that post at the bottom of the article. Many of the people who post there are non-hikers and there's at least a bit of venom in a couple of their posts.

In talking about the actions of the hikers, a reader writes "What about the other peoples lives they put at risk to search for them when they become missing. This is unacceptable!"

If you want to check it out...
http://www.unionleader.com/article....rticleId=e53d5351-56ba-4732-993e-33cff30d9f43

 

[DougPaul]

I would like to see a book that details and analyzes accidents from a professional's point of view. Would be harsh for the families and I'm sure 90% of us reading it would read it, nod and say, I'm glad I would never make *that* mistake. Harder to drive home the point that our decisions in the field can so easily go astray.

Accidents in North American Mountaineering
http://www.americanalpineclub.org/pages/page/72

Published yearly by the American Alpine Club and the Alpine Club of Canada.

Available at REI etc and bookstores (both local and on line).

Doug