Latest news with #PemiValleySearchandRescueTeam
Boston Globe
05-05-2025
- Boston Globe
Two men unprepared for conditions rescued in the White Mountains
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. Advertisement 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. Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up 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 Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Three Mass. hikers rescued from New Hampshire trails during weekend ‘white out conditions'
Three men from Massachusetts were rescued after hiking for hours on New Hampshire trails during 'white out conditions' over the weekend, state officials said Tuesday. Jack Tragni, 24, and Vaishnav Raja, 25, both of Boston, Massachusetts, and Justin Yang, 24, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, were all rescued after an hours-long search for the hikers on Sunday, New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said in a statement. The three men had departed around 9 a.m. on Sunday morning and had ascended Falling Waters Trail to Franconia Ridge. 'Progress across the ridge was slowed by deep snow and white out conditions making the trail difficult to follow,' state officials said. After going over Mount Lincoln, the men felt turning back wasn't the prudent decision so they continued on, officials said. At 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Conservation Officers with New Hampshire Fish and Game were informed about an 'SOS alert' from a Garmin device in the area of Mount Lincoln. 'Admittedly they panicked when they activated the SOS on their device but they knew it would take hours for rescuers to get to their location,' officials said. Calls were made to the emergency contacts for the device who reported that three men had intended a winter hike of the Falling Waters/Bridle Path Loop, officials said. 'Eventually it was learned from the group that they were experiencing white out conditions and suffering from cold related injuries, eventually stating thru text that they needed help,' state officials said. The device tracked the hikers slowly moving towards the summit of Mount Lafayette. A search and rescue team responded to the trailhead. By 7:30 p.m., the first rescuers started up the Old Bridle Path as the hikers had started a slow descent of Mount Lafayette towards the Greenleaf Hut. No more messages had been received from the three men 'as they had explained it was difficult to text messages in the cold and wind,' officials said. At 9:10 p.m., the first rescuers came in contact with the group just below Greenleaf Hut. Crews gave the hikers additional light sources as some of their light sources had gone dead and they started back towards the trailhead, arriving without further incident at 10:20 p.m. The group was fairly well prepared for winter conditions but lacked experience above treeline, state officials said. 'This was a training hike for Mount Washington which is now put on hold. The group also had a Hike Safe Card,' officials said. 'The three were appreciative of the rescuers efforts and quick response which took them away from friends and family on Super Bowl Sunday.' 'Without the dedication of highly skilled volunteer groups such as the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team, search and rescue in New Hampshire would not be as efficient,' officials said. Winter conditions exist in the mountains and hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek, and to include packing the 10 essential items: Map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, First Aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets & pants, and a knife. For additional information, visit This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
