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Two hikers found alive after blizzard on Mt. Jefferson
By JIM COLE
Associated Press Writer
MOUNT JEFFERSON, N.H. (AP) — Two young hikers lost in snow and cold overnight walked to safety just before 1 p.m. Monday.
"We are looking at two of the luckiest kids in New Hampshire today to be alive," said Col. Ron Alie of the Fish and Game Department.
The two, who lacked warm clothing, matches and other survival gear, had headed for the summit of 5,715-foot Mount Jefferson Sunday morning and arrived early that afternoon.
"It started to snow and we couldn’t see the trail anymore. We couldn’t see anything," Andrew Bellenger, 19, of Nashua, said shortly after the pair made their way to safety.
Bellenger and Tony James, 21, of Litchfield, were taken to Littleton Hospital to be examined.
Snow fell overnight in the region — about three miles north of Mount Washington — and continued in some areas Monday morning. Alie said a whiteout prevented a search by helicopter Monday morning.
The hikers were wearing light parkas when they walked out onto a dirt road, but no gloves. They appeared to be in good shape.
Bellenger said the two were afraid to try to sleep.
"We tried to stay awake. We thought if we fell asleep we wouldn’t wake back up," he said.
At the Mount Washington Weather Observatory, the 17-degree temperature and 48-mph winds created a windchill below zero about 11 a.m. Monday.
Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast, is home to some of the world’s worst weather. Blue skies and moderate temperatures can be replaced by a blizzard and sub-zero cold in minutes.
Alie said authorities received a garbled 911 call Sunday afternoon from a hiker, but could get little information except that he was lost in a whiteout.
Alie learned Monday the cell phone had blown out of one hiker’s hand, ending the call, and the pair had not been able to find it to call back.
At the observatory, meterologist Charlie Lopresti said a foot of snow had fallen in the previous 24 hours. The observatory’s Web site said ice buildup had reached 2 feet on some vertical structures.
The observatory had posted warnings to hikers for three days, advising them of possible severe weather above the tree line despite pleasant weather in the valley below.
The search came on what traditionally is the peak weekend for viewing foliage in the White Mountains.
Source
By JIM COLE
Associated Press Writer
MOUNT JEFFERSON, N.H. (AP) — Two young hikers lost in snow and cold overnight walked to safety just before 1 p.m. Monday.
"We are looking at two of the luckiest kids in New Hampshire today to be alive," said Col. Ron Alie of the Fish and Game Department.
The two, who lacked warm clothing, matches and other survival gear, had headed for the summit of 5,715-foot Mount Jefferson Sunday morning and arrived early that afternoon.
"It started to snow and we couldn’t see the trail anymore. We couldn’t see anything," Andrew Bellenger, 19, of Nashua, said shortly after the pair made their way to safety.
Bellenger and Tony James, 21, of Litchfield, were taken to Littleton Hospital to be examined.
Snow fell overnight in the region — about three miles north of Mount Washington — and continued in some areas Monday morning. Alie said a whiteout prevented a search by helicopter Monday morning.
The hikers were wearing light parkas when they walked out onto a dirt road, but no gloves. They appeared to be in good shape.
Bellenger said the two were afraid to try to sleep.
"We tried to stay awake. We thought if we fell asleep we wouldn’t wake back up," he said.
At the Mount Washington Weather Observatory, the 17-degree temperature and 48-mph winds created a windchill below zero about 11 a.m. Monday.
Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast, is home to some of the world’s worst weather. Blue skies and moderate temperatures can be replaced by a blizzard and sub-zero cold in minutes.
Alie said authorities received a garbled 911 call Sunday afternoon from a hiker, but could get little information except that he was lost in a whiteout.
Alie learned Monday the cell phone had blown out of one hiker’s hand, ending the call, and the pair had not been able to find it to call back.
At the observatory, meterologist Charlie Lopresti said a foot of snow had fallen in the previous 24 hours. The observatory’s Web site said ice buildup had reached 2 feet on some vertical structures.
The observatory had posted warnings to hikers for three days, advising them of possible severe weather above the tree line despite pleasant weather in the valley below.
The search came on what traditionally is the peak weekend for viewing foliage in the White Mountains.
Source
