Tourist separated from hiking group slips 25 feet on ‘steep and icy’ trail, rescuers say

Daniella Segura
·3 min read
2

A hiker was rescued after she slipped on a “steep and icy” New Hampshire trail, officials say.

The 51-year-old Canadian woman was hiking Falling Waters Trail in Lincoln with her partner when the two got separated from their group on Friday, March 8, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a March 11 news release. The group was attempting to tackle the challenging 8.3-mile Franconia Ridge Loop.

As the pair trekked down from Mt. Haystack in the dark without a light source, officials said the woman “couldn’t see well” and slipped “on a steep and icy section of trail.”

She slid 25 feet down a rock, injuring herself such that she could not continue hiking, officials said.

As the pair waited for rescuers after calling 911, officials said another hiker happened upon them.

The hiker provided the woman with a sleeping pad for insulation from the ground, along with additional clothing to keep warm, according to officials.

After hiking about 1 mile to reach the woman, officials said they “carried her down the steep, wet and icy terrain.”

The woman was taken to a hospital for further medical treatment, officials said.

The Franconia Ridge Loop, located in Franconia Notch State Park about 80 miles north of Manchester, takes about seven hours to complete, according to NewEngland.com. The loop “traverses Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln and Little Haystack, along the second-highest range of peaks in the White Mountains.”

How to be prepared while hiking

If you’re planning to hike, the National Park Service says there are 10 essentials you should take:

  • Navigation: Pack a map, compass and a GPS system. Make sure you study your route beforehand and understand how to use the tools.

  • Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat can help protect your skin and eyes from UV rays.

  • Insulation: A jacket, hat, gloves, raincoat and thermal underwear can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.

  • Illumination: A flashlight, lantern and headlamp can create light if you get stuck in the dark — and don’t forget to pack extra batteries.

  • First-aid supplies: It’s a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand while hiking. Check the expiration date on items before you pack them.

  • Fire: Matches and a lighter can help start fire to act as an emergency signal in times of need.

  • Repair kit and tools: Duct tape, a knife, screwdriver and scissors can be helpful if items break during your hike or you need assistance.

  • Nutrition: You should pack an extra day’s worth of food in case something goes wrong. Park officials recommend having “salty and easy to digest snacks.”

  • Hydration: You should drink water often and before you feel thirsty if you’re hiking in hot weather. Keeping your body hydrated is “of utmost importance,” park officials said.

  • Emergency shelter: Packing a tent, space blanket, tarp and bivy can help you be prepared if severe weather breaks out or your plan takes a turn.

Stranded hiker calls 911 with dying phone on mountain trail after dark, officials say

Hiker slips on icy trail and hurts leg, then slips and hurts other leg, NH officials say

Hiker hears cries for help and finds woman trapped between boulders on Arizona cliff