Over 20 Unprepared Hikers Rescued from New England Mountain

Winter weather caught some hikers in New England off guard over the weekend. Over 20 hikers had to be rescued from Mount Washington after getting stuck in the wintry conditions. Here is a look at what happened on the mountain peak in New Hampshire.

Over 20 Hikers Rescued from the Summit of Mount Washington

According to the Mount Washington Cog Railway, more than 20 "ill-prepared" hikers had to be rescued from the snow-covered peak on Saturday. The hikers were rescued by staff from the railway that summits the mountain with trains all year long. Andrew Vilaine, the assistant general manager for the railway, confirmed the rescue in a statement on October 25. Vilaine said that the majority of the hikers were not ready for the wintry weather.

While the hikers made it to the summit at 6,228 feet, several of them developed hypothermia due to the cold temperatures. Vilaine said that the hikers did not have suitable gear to withstand the elements, adding that they were not aware that Mount Washington State Park was closed for the season. According to Vilaine's statement, a few of the hikers said that it was their first hike ever. Vilaine said that hikers need to be aware that there are not always services available, especially this time of the year.

The temperatures on top of Mount Washington had dipped into the single digits on the day of the rescue. The mountain topped out with readings in the 20s on Saturday.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway warns on its website that the mountain is known for its unpredictable weather, with conditions that "often deteriorate rapidly from pleasant to life-threatening." Officials encourage visitors to plan ahead and be prepared with proper clothing and gear.  After being rescued from the summit, several of the hikers were loaded into locomotive cabs with the heat blasting in an effort to combat the effects of hypothermia.

By the next day, New Hampshire State Parks had issued an advisory telling hikers to be prepared or to consider hiking on another day. Winter conditions enveloped the highest peak in the Northeast throughout the weekend. The mercury had dropped to 21 degrees on the summit of Mount Washington by noon Sunday, pairing with winds clocking in at 30 mph.

The state's parks system also warns that there is no shelter available at Mount Washington State Park. The Sherman Adams building has been closed for the season, leaving outdoor recreationalists with few options when dangerous weather strikes.

Mount Washington is notoriously known for having terrible weather throughout the year. Over 200,000 people visit the top of the mountain every year, according to the Mount Washington Observatory. The popular tourist destination is located about 140 miles to the northeast of Manchester, New Hampshire, and approximately 165 miles north of Boston.