A searchable record of fatalities, rescues, and search-and-rescue missions in the White Mountain National Forest, drawn from NH Fish and Game press releases, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, and major regional outlets quoting agency statements.
Compiled and maintained by Nick Dube, NH 48 finisher and longtime White Mountains hiker · updated daily from NH Fish & Game. Modern-era (2015+) figures best represent current risk — the deep historical record skews fatal because routine rescues weren’t archived the way deaths were.
527
Total incidents
Documented since 1849
343
Survived
Self-rescued or rescued by SAR
172
Fatal
12 missing, never found
88%
Survival rate · 2015+
312 modern incidents
This database is a work in progress. We’re actively reviewing sources and adding incidents, so counts will grow and details may be refined over time.
Before you go: the Hiker Responsibility Code
Nearly every incident in this database was survivable — and many were preventable. You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:
1.With knowledge and gear
2.To leave your plans
3.To stay together
4.To turn back
5.For emergencies
6.To share the hiker code with others
Check the current conditions before any hike, carry the Ten Essentials, start early, and turn around when weather or daylight runs short.
The long record
Documented incidents by decade. Survived rescues in forest green, fatalities in alert red. Hover a decade for its breakdown, or a year marker for the milestone. The pre-2015 period skews fatal not because the backcountry was deadlier then, but because rescues are not archived the way deaths are.
1849
1901
1954
1982
2015
SurvivedFatalMissing or unknown
When incidents happen
Documented incidents by month. Darker = more. Incidents cluster in July; winter incidents skew toward ice and traction, summer toward heat and exhaustion.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Survived
10
18
15
21
32
41
65
49
30
35
14
11
Fatal
21
18
18
12
12
16
15
16
15
13
8
5
Based on incidents with a known date. Use it to plan the season — not to assume any month is “safe.”
Most common causes of hiking accidents
Primary cause of each incident, split by outcome. Bars lean green where help usually reaches people in time — getting lost, hypothermia — and red where the margin is thin, like falls and avalanches. Click a row to filter the database below.
Each marker is a peak, sized by how many incidents are linked to it and split by outcome. Tap a hotspot for the count and a link to that peak.
Where incidents happen
Incidents mapped to the peak they’re linked to — bigger, redder circles mean more incidents and a higher fatal share. Click a peak to see its record.
Only incidents linked to a specific peak appear here; trail- or region-only reports are in the database below.
The playbook
What works · what gets people out alive
The bulk of WMNF backcountry incidents end in successful rescue. NH Fish and Game handles 200+ a year statewide; what follows is what the documented modern record (2015+) shows about the patterns that get people home.
On August 14, 2026, four 18-year-old hikers from New Jersey became stranded on Franconia Ridge near Mount Lincoln after starting their hike at 3:30 p.m. without headlamps, sufficient food, water, or appropriate clothing. One hiker was experiencing difficulty breathing and sore legs. Five Pemi Valley Search and Rescue volunteers and a Conservation Officer located them at 1:15 a.m. and guided them out, arriving at the trailhead at 9:07 a.m. on August 15.
Lesson · Outdoor enthusiasts are reminded that days are getting shorter and temperatures are getting colder; hikers should carry adequate gear including lights, food, water, and warm clothing for extended hikes.
James Myers, a 69-year-old from Ohio, section hiking the Appalachian Trail with his brother
On July 26, 2026, James Myers, 69, fell and suffered a serious head injury while section hiking the Appalachian Trail near the Eliza Brook Shelter in Lincoln, NH, on day five of hiking across New Hampshire. Rescuers reached him by ATV and on foot, arriving at the shelter at 4:18 p.m. Myers was transported by ATV to the trailhead and then by ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital.
Lesson · Having the proper gear and equipment is critical and was proven to be extremely important in this case, as the pair was well prepared and able to contact help from a remote location with no cell phone signal.
Christopher Kriesen, 59, of Webster, NY, hiked up Valley Way Trail and spent the night at Madison Spring Hut before deciding to descend due to feeling unwell. Despite eating and drinking, he suffered muscle weakness and was unable to continue, resorting to sliding down the trail on his behind. A nearby Conservation Officer transported him by ATV to the Appalachia Trailhead parking lot.
Lesson · Kriesen had not hiked or done much strenuous activity in the past 5 years, which likely contributed to his fatigue and ultimate muscle failure.
Justin Bolduc, 18, of Levis, Quebec, became stranded on a wet, slippery rock slab in Huntington Ravine after inadvertently going off trail while ascending in darkness during a pre-dawn summit attempt. He called for help at 4:05 a.m. and was advised to shelter in place until daylight. AVSAR rock climbers and two Conservation Officers roped him to safety by 10:00 a.m.; no injuries were reported.
Lesson · Rescuers reminded hikers that even in mid-summer, temperatures in the mountains frequently drop to near freezing at night, and being prepared with extra gear is essential for sheltering in place if an emergency arises.
A hiker suffered a head injury on the Sabbaday Falls Trail in Waterville Valley, about a half mile from the trailhead. Conservation Officers and multiple fire and rescue agencies responded and placed her in a litter to carry her to the trailhead. She was then taken by ambulance for treatment.
Jeremy Hooten, 51, suffered a significant lower leg injury about half a mile north of the summit of Mt. Garfield while more than 5 miles from a trailhead. He splinted his own injury but could not walk without assistance. A team of 28 Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue volunteers and 3 Conservation Officers carried him by litter to Gale River Loop Road, where he was taken by ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital.
On August 14, 2026, four 18-year-old hikers from New Jersey became stranded on Franconia Ridge near Mount Lincoln after starting their hike at 3:30 p.m. without headlamps, sufficient food, water, or appropriate clothing. One hiker was experiencing difficulty breathing and sore legs. Five Pemi Valley Search and Rescue volunteers and a Conservation Officer located them at 1:15 a.m. and guided them out, arriving at the trailhead at 9:07 a.m. on August 15.
Lesson
Outdoor enthusiasts are reminded that days are getting shorter and temperatures are getting colder; hikers should carry adequate gear including lights, food, water, and warm clothing for extended hikes.
No headlampInadequate clothingLate startUnderestimated distance
·No specific peak·Appalachian Trail
RescueFall
Miroslaw Lobasz (trail name Kermit), a 73-year-old from Newark, Delaware, thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail
On August 13, 2026, Miroslaw Lobasz fell down deck stairs at the Zealand Hut in Bethlehem, suffering a serious but non-life-threatening head injury. AMC staff assisted on scene while Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team volunteers and Conservation Officers hiked 2.8 miles to reach him. Lobasz was carried in a litter to the trailhead and transported by ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital.
On August 12, 2026, a male hiker collapsed and was found unresponsive on the Mt. Hale Brook Trail in Bethlehem, approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. Lifesaving efforts were attempted by bystanders on scene. Rescuers from Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and Conservation Officers carried the hiker out, arriving at the trailhead at approximately 10:30 p.m.; the hiker did not survive.
·No specific peak·Sabbaday Falls Trail
RescueMedical
Erin Reuthe, a 37-year-old from Claremont, NH
On August 12, 2026, Erin Reuthe suffered a knee injury on the Sabbaday Falls Trail in Waterville Valley, NH. Conservation Officers and Conway Fire and Rescue located her less than a half mile from the trailhead. She was unable to walk and was transported by litter to the trailhead, then taken by ambulance for treatment.
A 15-year-old member of a 31-person Haverhill, MA Marine Corps JROTC group sustained an ankle injury while jumping rock to rock at the intersection of Valley Way and Watson Path on Mt. Madison on August 11, 2026. Conservation Officers directed the group to help the teen hobble down the trail while officers responded with ATVs. The injured hiker was transported by ATV to the Appalachia trailhead and evaluated by Gorham Ambulance before opting to seek further medical attention at home.
Cynthia Krum, a 65-year-old from South Portland, Maine
On August 9, 2026, Cynthia Krum, 65, slipped and fell from a rock while traversing the Link Trail on the north side of Mt. Jefferson, sustaining a leg injury that left her unable to walk. Her daughter called 911, and a rescue team of 3 Conservation Officers and 34 volunteers carried her out 1.6 miles to the Caps Ridge Trailhead. She was transported by ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital.
·No specific peak·Gray Knob Trail
RescueFall
Daisy McCoy, a 75-year-old from Lyndon Center, VT
Daisy McCoy, 75, suffered a leg injury while descending the Gray Knob Trail toward the Gray Knob RMC Cabin on the evening of August 6, 2026. An RMC caretaker found her, retrieved a litter, and with the help of other hikers carried her to the cabin where she spent the night. The following morning, over 20 rescuers carried her down Lowe's Path to the road, where she was transported to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin.
·No specific peak
RescueLost
Megan Kelley, a 39-year-old from Fall River, MA
Megan Kelley, 39, went missing from Dolly Copp Campground in Martin's Location on Saturday morning, August 1, 2026, and was not located until the following morning after approximately 27 hours. She was found by a couple hiking a powerline road near mountain biking trails in Gorham, lying immobile on the side of the access road. She was transported by litter to a waiting ambulance and taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin with no life-threatening injuries.
·No specific peak·Lion Head Trail
RescueFall
Jade Dubois, a 19-year-old from Saint-Christophe-d'Arthabaska, Quebec
On July 28, 2026, Jade Dubois suffered a severe lower leg injury approximately ¼ mile above Hermit Lake Shelter on the Lion Head Trail, leaving her unable to walk. Good Samaritan hikers used a stash litter to carry her to the shelter, where Conservation Officers and AVSAR members assisted in transporting her via ATV down the Sherburne Ski Trail to Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Dubois was met by a Gorham ambulance but refused hospital transport, opting to seek her own medical care.
·No specific peak·Appalachian Trail
RescueFall
James Myers, a 69-year-old from Ohio, section hiking the Appalachian Trail with his brother
On July 26, 2026, James Myers, 69, fell and suffered a serious head injury while section hiking the Appalachian Trail near the Eliza Brook Shelter in Lincoln, NH, on day five of hiking across New Hampshire. Rescuers reached him by ATV and on foot, arriving at the shelter at 4:18 p.m. Myers was transported by ATV to the trailhead and then by ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital.
Lesson
Having the proper gear and equipment is critical and was proven to be extremely important in this case, as the pair was well prepared and able to contact help from a remote location with no cell phone signal.
·No specific peak
RescueMedical
Max Lichtenberger, from Somerville, Massachusetts
On July 26, 2026, a hiker collapsed and suffered a seizure near Guyot Shelter in the Pemi Wilderness, between Mount Bond and Mount Guyot. Passing hikers and AMC staff stabilized him and radioed for help. The New Hampshire Army National Guard helicopter hoisted the hiker out and transported him to Littleton Regional Hospital.
On July 25, 2026, Richard Beaulieu, 18, of Granby, MA, suffered a significant leg injury on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail near Tuckerman Junction, approximately half a mile from the summit of Mt. Washington. Passing hikers with EMT certifications provided on-scene medical support while a rescue crew from NH Fish and Game, AVSAR, and LRSAR responded. He was carried by litter to the summit and subsequently transported to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for treatment.
·No specific peak·Welch and Dickey Trail
FatalityMedical
a 62-year-old male
On July 25, 2026, a 62-year-old male collapsed and became unresponsive on the Welch and Dickey Trail in Waterville Valley. CPR was performed by passing hikers and continued by Pemi Valley Search and Rescue volunteers until a New Hampshire Army National Guard helicopter hoisted the hiker from the mountain. The hiker did not survive.
·No specific peak·Valley Way Trail
RescueMedical
a 59-year-old from Webster, NY
Christopher Kriesen, 59, of Webster, NY, hiked up Valley Way Trail and spent the night at Madison Spring Hut before deciding to descend due to feeling unwell. Despite eating and drinking, he suffered muscle weakness and was unable to continue, resorting to sliding down the trail on his behind. A nearby Conservation Officer transported him by ATV to the Appalachia Trailhead parking lot.
Lesson
Kriesen had not hiked or done much strenuous activity in the past 5 years, which likely contributed to his fatigue and ultimate muscle failure.
·No specific peak·Glen Ellis Falls
RescueFall
a 17-year-old from Massachusetts
On July 13, 2026, a 17-year-old from Massachusetts was injured after jumping from Glen Ellis Falls (approximately 64 feet) in Pinkham Notch and landing on rocks. EMS assessed his injuries as significant but non-life-threatening, and he was unable to walk. He was carried by litter to the Glen Ellis Falls parking lot and transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.
Justin Bolduc, 18, of Levis, Quebec, became stranded on a wet, slippery rock slab in Huntington Ravine after inadvertently going off trail while ascending in darkness during a pre-dawn summit attempt. He called for help at 4:05 a.m. and was advised to shelter in place until daylight. AVSAR rock climbers and two Conservation Officers roped him to safety by 10:00 a.m.; no injuries were reported.
Lesson
Rescuers reminded hikers that even in mid-summer, temperatures in the mountains frequently drop to near freezing at night, and being prepared with extra gear is essential for sheltering in place if an emergency arises.
On July 11, 2026, Robert Hickey, 65, slipped and fell on the Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua, sustaining a knee injury that left him unable to walk approximately 3.2 miles from the trailhead. NHFG Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue Team responded and carried him by rescue litter to the trailhead, arriving at 7:42 p.m. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
·Lonesome Lake·Lonesome Lake Trail / Basin-Cascade Trail
RescueMedical
Sandra McGuire, a 56-year-old from Norfolk, MA
Sandra McGuire, 56, of Norfolk, MA, hiked up the Basin-Cascade Trail with friends but became unable to continue at the dam of Lonesome Lake due to severe fatigue-like symptoms. After approximately two hours being assisted by companions, AMC Lonesome Lake Hut personnel, and good Samaritans, rescuers were called. McGuire was able to descend with assistance, met rescuers on the Lonesome Lake Trail, and was evaluated and released by medics at the trailhead.
Lesson
Conservation Officers emphasized that hiking in New Hampshire is strenuous regardless of listed difficulty, and hikers should carry the HikeSafe 10 essentials and understand the HikeSafe Code.
Kathy Monteverde, a 64-year-old from Lunenburg, MA
On July 11, 2026, Kathy Monteverde, 64, fell and suffered a non-life-threatening injury near the bottom of the Greenleaf Trail while descending Mt. Lafayette. A member of her party went to the Cannon Mountain parking area to call 911. A Conservation Officer assisted her to the trailhead, where she was transported by ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital.
Paul Carvalho, 24, slipped on a wet rock near Champney Falls and injured his ankle. He continued hiking for approximately 3 hours before being unable to bear weight and called 911. Fish and Game and LRSAR carried him approximately 3.2 miles to the trailhead, arriving at 2:15 a.m. on July 11.
On July 9, 2026, Chelsea Norman, 25, was found ill and unable to continue descending the Gorge Brook Trail on Mt. Moosilauke by another hiker. Conservation Officers and Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team responded, provided food and water, and assisted her descent under her own power. She was evaluated at the trailhead by Linwood Ambulance Service.
Lesson
NH Fish and Game reminded anyone enjoying outdoor spaces to stay hydrated, especially during the heat of summer.
·No specific peak·Tuckerman Ravine Trail
RescueFall
Cindy Armstrong, a 67-year-old from Maumee, OH
On July 8, 2026, Cindy Armstrong slipped and fell on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail approximately 1.2 miles from Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, sustaining a knee injury. She and her husband continued hiking but were stopped when darkness fell and they had no lights. Conservation Officers and AVSAR volunteers responded; Armstrong was transported by ATV down the Sherburne Ski Trail to the PNVC parking lot at 1:15 a.m., refusing medical treatment.
No headlamp
·No specific peak·Arethusa Falls Trail
RescueFall
a 57-year-old from Louisville, KY
Maureen Danahy, 57, fell on the Arethusa Falls Trail on July 8, 2026, injuring her ankle and rendering her unable to walk. NH Fish and Game, Bartlett-Jackson EMS, and AVSAR responded, stabilized her, and carried her to the trailhead, arriving at 6:05 p.m. She was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in North Conway for evaluation and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How many hiking deaths and rescues are documented in the White Mountains?+
This database documents 527 incidents in the White Mountain National Forest — including 172 fatalities — dating back to 1849. It is not a complete tally of every rescue: NH Fish and Game responds to roughly 200 backcountry incidents a year statewide. It captures the documented fatality record plus a growing, primary-sourced sample of rescues, updated daily.
How many people have died on Mount Washington?+
This database documents 114 deaths on Mount Washington out of 160 recorded incidents — more than any other White Mountain peak. That reflects both its severe, fast-changing weather (among the worst recorded anywhere) and its popularity, not a simple ranking of danger. Above treeline in the Presidential Range is where exposure, hypothermia, and falls recur most.
How many hikers die in the White Mountains each year?+
In the modern era (2015–2026), the documented record averages roughly 3 fatalities a year across the White Mountain National Forest, alongside far more non-fatal rescues — NH Fish and Game responds to around 200 backcountry incidents a year statewide. Year-to-year totals vary, and the deep historical record skews fatal because routine rescues weren't archived the way deaths were.
What is the most common cause of hiking incidents in the White Mountains?+
In this dataset, the most frequently recorded primary factor is fall, in 221 incidents. Getting lost, falls, hypothermia, and underestimating the terrain recur throughout the record — and most are preventable with preparation.
Which White Mountain peak has the most recorded incidents?+
Mount Washington has the most recorded incidents in this database (160). Higher counts reflect both terrain and popularity — the busiest, most exposed peaks generate the most calls, so this is not a pure measure of danger.
Is Mount Washington dangerous to hike?+
Mount Washington and the Presidential Range pair some of the world's most extreme, fast-changing weather with miles of exposure above treeline. The documented record shows hypothermia, falls, and getting lost as recurring factors — even in summer. It is regularly hiked safely, but it demands real preparation: check the Higher Summits Forecast, carry layers and traction, and be willing to turn back.
How can I avoid needing a search and rescue?+
Follow the hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code — you are responsible for yourself, so be prepared: (1) with knowledge and gear, (2) to leave your plans, (3) to stay together, (4) to turn back, (5) for emergencies, and (6) to share the hiker code with others. Check the forecast, carry the Ten Essentials, start early, and turn around when conditions or daylight run short.
Where does this data come from, and can I cite it?+
Every entry is drawn from a primary or near-primary source — NH Fish and Game press releases, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, the American Alpine Club accident archive, or major regional outlets quoting agency statements — and the database updates daily from new NH Fish and Game releases. You're welcome to cite it; a suggested citation and a downloadable CSV are at the bottom of this page.
About this dataset
This database contains 527 documented incidents in the White Mountain National Forest. Each row is sourced from a primary or near-primary report — NH Fish and Game press releases, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, the American Alpine Club's accident archive, or major regional outlets quoting agency statements.
It tracks hiking and backcountry incidents. Widely-cited mountain death tolls — like the ~160 recorded on Mount Washington since 1849 — also count non-hiking fatalities (Cog Railway and Auto Road accidents, aircraft crashes, skiing, and natural causes at the summit) that this database doesn't track, so our totals run lower than those figures by design.
The rescue-to-fatality ratio shown here is not the WMNF safety ratio. Fatalities have been consistently archived since the 19th century; routine rescues have not. NH Fish and Game handles roughly 200 backcountry incidents a year statewide — this database currently captures a fraction of them in detail, alongside the historical fatality record. Modern-era (2015+) figures are the most representative.
In the modern era (2015–present) the documented record averages roughly 3 fatalities a year across the White Mountain National Forest — the most sampling-robust figure on this page, and the one we'd stand behind in a citation.
Every entry is a real person and a real event. We publish them as a public-safety resource, not as a memorial leaderboard. Names appear only when the cited source published them, we never publish the name of a minor, and the downloadable dataset omits victim names entirely. If you are an immediate family member and would like a name or an entire entry removed, email us and we will, no questions asked.
Citing this data: HikerNerd. (2026). White Mountain National Forest Hiker Incident Database. https://hikernerd.com/safety/incidents