Teen Hiker Rescued on Mt. Washington
As an engineering student I was always taught that failure is much more instructive than success and I think the same is true in the outdoors. When a hiker gets lost that’s really a navigation failure and it’s a great time to reflect on outdoor knowledge and awareness. I wrote about my experience being lost and how it taught me about my own stubborness but also confirmed some things I learned as a Boy Scout like following a stream to safety.
Anyway, this week a teenager in New Hampshire got lost while hiking alone on Mt. Washington. The teen did a lot of things right (he is, after all, an Eagle Scout) but he also made some critical mistakes we can all learn from.
- Never hike alone. This is probably the biggest lesson this teen learned but I’m still not sure he gets it (after his rescue he said “I would never hike alone again in snow conditions“). I suggest not hiking alone in any conditions because you never know what might happen (weather, injuries, etc.).
- Head down to safety. After a couple days on the mountain the teenager decided to hike up the mountain to get help but the rescuers were looking for him at lower elevations. Following water downstream is a good strategy as is getting out of cold/windy conditions at higher elevations.
- Don’t take shortcuts. This is where I got into trouble during my own “lost experience” and it’s a pretty easy trap to fall into. Stay on the trail because it makes it easier for rescuers to find you plus the conditions on the trail are generally better than off trail.
In the end we’re glad the teen made it back safely - hopefully his story can teach us a few lessons about staying safe on the trail.
Related posts:
- Missing hiker rescues herself
- Creaky Knees Guide: 100 Best Easy Hikes in Washington
- How a hiker found Steve Fossett’s crash site
- World’s most dangerous hiking trail
- Unprepared for hiking trip? You could get the bill for a rescue.
Tags: lost, mt. washington, new hampshire, safety