10-02-2025
Three hikers rescued Sunday near Mt. Lafayette, officials say
'Eventually it was learned from the group that they were experiencing white-out conditions and suffering from cold-related injuries, stating through text messages that they needed help,' officials said. 'Tracking of the device showed that they were slowly moving towards the summit of Mount Lafayette.'
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Officials identified the hikers as Jack Tragni, 24, of Boston, Justin Yang, 24, of Cambridge, and Vaishnav Raja, 25, of Boston.
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At 7:30 p.m., rescuers started up the Old Bridle Path, as the hikers moved down Mount Lafayette towards the Greenleaf Hut, officials said.
Eventually, the hikers stopped sending rescuers messages as the cold, windy conditions made it difficult to text, officials said.
Just after 9 p.m., rescuers reached the group near Greenleaf Hut, officials said.
Rescuers provided the hikers with additional light sources as several of theirs had run out of battery. The group then continued back towards the trailhead, officials said.
They arrived without further incident at 10:20 p.m., officials said.
The three men had started their hike around 9 a.m. Sunday, ascending Falling Water Trail to Franconia Ridge, officials said.
But deep snow and white-out conditions slowed their progress and made the trails difficult to follow, officials said.
After going over Mount Lincoln, the hikers decided to continue despite the challenging conditions, officials said.
The hikers admitted that they panicked when they activated the SOS on their device but 'knew it would take hours for rescuers to get to their location.'
Officials said the group was fairly well
prepared for the conditions but lacked experience hiking above the tree line.
The group was training to hike Mount Washington. That hike has been put on hold, officials said.
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'The three were appreciative of the rescuers' efforts and quick response, which took them away from friends and family on Super Bowl Sunday,' officials said.
Sarah Mesdjian can be reached at
