Submitted by The_Road_is_Calling t3_zv5xh4 in newhampshire
From New Hampshire Fish and Game:
Overdue Hiker Located Deceased
Franconia, NH: Just after 9:00 PM on December 24th NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers were notified of an overdue hiker who had been hiking the 8.6 mile Bridle Path/Falling Waters Loop. The 28 year old lone male hiker had departed at around 11:00 AM. A family member in China had tracked the progress of the hiker throughout the day and at 6:15 PM the family member reported that the hiker’s phone was going dead and it appeared as though the hiker was off trail south of Mount Lincoln. The hiker was described by family as inexperienced and it was unknown what he was carrying for equipment. With temperatures near zero a search for the hiker commenced. By 2:00 AM on December 25th a team of Conservation Officers had reached Franconia Ridge. Shortly after the team located what they believed to be the tracks of the hiker. The tracks continued off trail and ended up in a drainage that flows from between Little Haystack Mountain and Mount Lincoln. At 6:45 AM Conservation Officers located the body of the missing hiker about a half a mile from the Falling Waters Trail in Franconia. Rescuers arrived back at the trailhead at 2:30 PM on the 25th. At this time the identity of the hiker is being withheld until all family can be notified.
Conservation Officers would like to remind outdoor enthusiasts that winter conditions have arrived in New Hampshire and that they should prepare accordingly for these conditions. Hikers are asked to adhere to the Hiker Responsibility Code. To see the Code and a list of recommended equipment visit hikeSafe.com. All people who enjoy the outdoors should consider the purchase of a Hike Safe Card. Funds generated from the Hike Safe Card go directly to funding the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s search and rescue responsibility. Cards can be purchased at: wildlife.state.nh.us/safe/index.html