Two seasoned hikers faced a daunting ordeal on New Hampshire's formidable Mount Washington, braving waist-deep snow and vicious whiteout conditions before being rescued. A month after their initial hike on this challenging trail, the women, prepared with warm clothing and other essential gear, embarked on a Sunday journey through the White Mountains. However, nature's relentless fury caught them off guard.
The trek started smoothly as the women, confident and equipped with headlamps, embarked on their descent. But the weather took a treacherous turn; fierce winds kicked up snowflakes, and temperatures plummeted. Suddenly, they found themselves not only battling nature’s raw power but also navigating its unpredictability on the tallest mountain in the Northeast, infamous for its extreme weather changes.
Amy Cotter, a weather observer at Mount Washington Observatory, noted the mountain's notorious snow drift behavior, That snow has nothing to stick to. It gets whipped up very easily. As the hikers struggled, one endured a 'spruce trap'—a perilous hidden hole in snow-covered forests. Their situation became increasingly dire, forcing them to crawl and painstakingly strive for progress.
Their struggle against the snow drift stretched their resources to the limit. Despite their experience, the hikers reached a point where self-rescue efforts yielded no success, leading them to call 911. Kathryn McKee and Beata LeLacheur, hailing from Massachusetts, provided their GPS coordinates to New Hampshire Fish and Game officers. Although a mere 34 feet from the trail, relentless snow wiped it from view. Multiple attempts to reorient themselves ended in frustration, leading to a grim realization: the need to brace for an overnight ordeal.
As the temperature dropped to a chilling 2 degrees below zero, with formidable 60 mph winds, the women huddled for warmth, wrestling with the reality of potential frostbite. McKee's recount of the harrowing night included battling immobilized hands and using a bag as a wind shield. I was terrified that my friend may pass away in front of me, McKee shared, focusing on survival over despair.
In a brave bid for salvation, Mount Washington State Park’s snowcat—a vehicle used in ski resorts—traveled the perilous mountain roads. By midnight, a squad of rescuers, equipped with snowshoes, began their mission amidst challenging conditions. The rescuers' relentless efforts paid off at 1:50 a.m. when they finally reached McKee and LeLacheur, finding them cold but alive, mostly suffering frostbite in their numbed hands.
Rescue crews established emergency shelters, aiding the women to regain mobility before leading them to the base station by 4:15 a.m. Despite the terrifying ordeal, both hikers acknowledged their preparation and attributed their survival to the emergency call. We feel really awful about having to make that 911 call, but it did save our lives, McKee said, expressing heartfelt gratitude toward their courageous rescuers.
Reflecting on the experiences, both women plan to continue hiking, albeit with an added precaution in their gear—a pop-up tent for immediate shelter if the need arises again. You either get back on the horse or you don't, mused McKee, unfazed and resolved to embrace her adventurous spirit safely while acknowledging the inherent risks involved in such ventures.