Two men unprepared for conditions rescued in the White Mountains

Boston Globe

05-05-2025

Conservation officers and volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team started up the Skookumchuk Trail by 1:30 a.m., reached the hiker's location at 4:20 a.m., and guided him back to the trailhead, officials said.
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They arrived at the trailhead at 9:35 a.m. and Pimental, who was not injured, was taken back to his vehicle at Lafayette Place, officials said.
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Officials said Pimental started his hike on April 30 by going up Falling Waters Trail and spending the night along the trail. He decided to hike to Franconia Ridge the next morning but took the wrong trail from the summit of Mount Lafayette and continued north toward Garfield Ridge.
'Lacking a map, he was unsure of where he was located and how to get out. He was unable to set up his shelter and was getting cold and wet when he decided to call 911 for help,' officials said. 'Pimental admittedly said he was unprepared for this hike and
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The second rescue took place on Saturday when a conservation officer was notified about a Massachusetts resident who called 911 after becoming lost off the Kilkenny Ridge Trail between Weeks and Middle Weeks Mountains,
The hiker, Richard De Reyna, 57, of Westwood, said he was wet and cold and didn't have a light source or other essential gear, officials said.
Officials said the conservation officer tried to call De Reyna back several times to help him find the trail, but was unable to reach him.
Due to the uncertainty of the situation, and with heavy rain on the way, a rescue response was initiated by conservation officers, volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, and the Berlin Fire Department, officials said.
When De Reyna was found approximately 4.5 miles from the closest road at 9:19 p.m, 'he was still at the exact coordinates where he made his 911 call,' officials said.
'De Reyna was wet, cold, and mildly hypothermic and was provided warm, dry clothes, warm liquids, and a light source from the rescue crew,' officials said. 'The group then hiked 2.4 miles down to an awaiting ATV where De Reyna was driven out the remaining two miles, arriving at the staged vehicles at 1:45 a.m.'
Officials said De Reyna had started hiking at 8 a.m. from the York Pond Trailhead in Berlin and had planned to summit Mount Weeks, Middle Weeks, and Mount Weeks–South Peak and then return the same way.
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But when he reached the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, he found himself in deep snow and kept losing the trail, officials said.
De Reyna used a mapping program on his cellphone to stay on the trail, 'but in doing so, drained the battery to the point that he was only able to make a 911 call and report his situation before the battery completely died,' officials said.
Officials said De Reyna had more than 25 years of hiking experience but still was not prepared for the snow conditions in the upper levels of the White Mountains.
'Hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek to include packing the ten essential items: map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants, and a knife,' officials said. 'In addition, it is important to turn your phone off or place it in airplane mode to ensure you have enough battery life remaining if you do require assistance.'
Emily Sweeney can be reached at