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.
510
Total incidents
Documented since 1849
328
Survived
Self-rescued or rescued by SAR
170
Fatal
12 missing, never found
88%
Survival rate · 2015+
295 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
59
40
30
35
14
11
Fatal
21
18
18
12
12
16
14
15
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.
88%
Modern survival rate
261 survived, 34 fatal · since 2015
100%
Most-survived cause
Lost · 57/57 live
89%
Most-fatal cause
Avalanche · 16/18 die
Documented rescues — what saved them
·
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
·No specific peak·Diana's Baths
RescueMedical
Veronique Campbell, a 51-year-old from Auburn, MA
On July 4, 2026, Veronique Campbell, 51, of Auburn, MA, injured her knee at Diana's Baths and was unable to walk out on her own. Conservation officers and fire/ambulance personnel responded, using an ATV until a narrow bridge required them to carry a litter to her location. She was treated, placed in the litter, carried back to the ATV, and transported to the trailhead by approximately 4:00 p.m.
Felipe Castanheira, a 23-year-old international traveler from Brazil
On July 2, 2026, Felipe Castanheira separated from his hiking partner while ascending the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail on Mt. Washington and went missing for approximately 24 hours. A multi-agency search involving Conservation Officers, AVSAR volunteers, drone teams, and AMC and State Park staff was conducted through the night and into the following day. Castanheira was found alive and uninjured at the AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut on July 3 and was assisted back to the trailhead by 8:35 p.m.
Solo
·No specific peak·Cascade Brook Trail
RescueFall
Chris Roy, a 58-year-old from North Danville, Vermont
On June 27, 2026, Chris Roy slipped on a rock on Cascade Brook Trail in Lincoln, NH, sustaining a lower-leg injury approximately 1.5 miles up the trail. Conservation Officers and members of the Pemigewasset Valley and Upper Valley Search and Rescue Teams responded, located Roy, and carried him out on a litter to the trailhead by approximately 3:03 p.m. Roy was evaluated by Linwood Ambulance on scene but declined transport and drove himself for further medical care.
Lesson
Hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek by 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.
Thomas Charland, a 24-year-old from Sainte-Foy, Quebec City, QC
On June 26, 2026, Thomas Charland, 24, fell approximately 50 feet on the steep slab in the upper reaches of Huntington Ravine Trail, sustaining serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A National Guard helicopter hoisted a paramedic to provide initial treatment and then extracted the patient at 3:35 p.m. He was flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.
Lesson
Huntington Ravine Trail is not a trail for everyday hikers or people who are not prepared with ropes, climbing gear, and proper footwear; the upper section is a dangerous cliff climb with warning signs at both ends.
a 49-year-old from Weston, MA, hiking with his kids
On June 25, 2026, James Bell, 49, of Weston, MA, slipped and fell while descending the Valley Way Trail approximately 1.6 miles from the Appalachia Trail parking lot, suffering a serious lower-leg injury. Bell had been hiking with his children and had earlier summited Mt. Adams and Mt. John Quincy Adams. Conservation Officers and AVSAR volunteers applied a vacuum splint, carried him out in a litter, and he was transported to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin.
Andre Bissonnette, an 80-year-old from Orford Township, Quebec, Canada, hiking with his son Vincent Bissonnette, 45, of Drummondville, Quebec
On June 24, 2026, an 80-year-old hiker began experiencing chest pains while hiking Franconia Ridge near the summit of Mount Lincoln. His son called 911, and due to the hiker's incapacitation and the time required for ground rescue, the NH Army National Guard was called in. A helicopter hoisted both hikers from the summit and transported the patient to Littleton Regional Hospital by 6:05 p.m.
Lesson
Mountain weather is subject to rapid changes and extreme conditions; hikers should check the Higher Summits Forecast and pack the ten essential items including map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind gear, and a knife.
On June 20, 2026, Kevin McNulty, 65, suffered a lower-leg injury while descending the Snapper Trail on Mount Moosilauke with his brother. His brother activated a Garmin inReach SOS, prompting a response from NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers and Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team volunteers, who carried McNulty out via litter to the Ravine Lodge. McNulty was transported by personal vehicle to Littleton Regional Healthcare for evaluation.
Lesson
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.
Two 19-year-old males from New Jersey (primary group); a second group of hikers also wet, cold, and suffering from hypothermia on the same mountain
On June 19, 2026, two groups of hikers on Mt. Lafayette were rescued after suffering from hypothermia in cold, wet, and rainy conditions. The first group included Dmytro Grechko, 19, who was unresponsive with severe hypothermia, and Jason Fisher, 19, who was alert but hypothermic; Grechko was carried to Greenleaf Hut and later transported to Littleton Regional Hospital. A second group of hypothermic hikers approximately 1.1 miles from the trailhead was assisted out by rescuers responding to the first call; a volunteer rescuer was severely injured during the carry-out of Grechko.
Lesson
Mountain weather is subject to rapid changes and extreme conditions; hikers should check the Higher Summits Forecast and pack the ten essential items including warm clothing, headlamp, and rain/wind gear.
On June 13, 2026, Joshua Luth, 20, of Lancaster, MA, suffered a medical incident while hiking solo on the Cascade Link Trail approximately 0.75 miles from Monadnock State Park Headquarters. Good Samaritans discovered him, called 911, and began CPR as his condition deteriorated. Despite response from numerous agencies, Luth was pronounced deceased; the cause remains under investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Solo
·No specific peak·Valley Way Trail
RescueMedical
72-year-old male hiker from Glen Allan, VA
David Waye, 72, was section hiking the Appalachian Trail from Pinkham Notch and reached Madison Spring Hut before deciding to descend via Valley Way. He became unable to continue after taking nearly 12 hours to cover 2.75 miles, suffering from heat exhaustion, dehydration, and muscle cramping. Rescuers hiked to his location, provided fluids and food, and assisted him to the trailhead by 2:30 a.m., after which he was transported to Androscoggin Valley Hospital.
Underestimated elevation
·Little Haystack Mountain·Falling Waters Trail
RescueMedical
52-year-old male from Brewster, MA
On June 4, 2026, Tom Delaney, 52, suffered a medical emergency on the Falling Waters Trail approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead while attempting to summit Little Haystack Mountain. A Good Samaritan assisted him down the trail until two Conservation Officers hiked up to meet them at Cloudland Falls. Delaney was escorted to the trailhead, assessed by ambulance, and chose to rest and drive home.
Lesson
Hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek by 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.
·No specific peak
RescueLost
64-year-old male from Auburn, MA
On June 1, 2026, Wayne Hendrickson, 64, went missing near the Sawyer Rock picnic area in Harts Location, NH. An overnight search by Fish and Game, local police, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, and a volunteer drone operator failed to locate him. On the morning of June 2, Hendrickson found his way back to the road uninjured before searchers from New England K9 and the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team could locate him.
·No specific peak·Old Bridle Path
RescueMedical
juvenile hiker traveling with a school group from Connecticut
On May 29, 2026, a juvenile hiker traveling with a school group from Connecticut suffered a lower-leg injury on the Old Bridle Path and was unable to continue. Conservation Officers and members of the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and Franconia Notch State Park staff carried the hiker approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead. The hiker was transported by LinWood Ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital for further treatment.
Bailey, hiking out alone after a night at Guyot Shelter, slipped and fell on a steep descent of the Bondcliff Trail, injuring his leg about 7.5 miles into the backcountry. He texted NH 911 and was hoisted out by an Army National Guard Black Hawk and flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock. Fish and Game noted he was well-prepared.
Lesson
Hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek by 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.
Solo
·No specific peak·Bolles Trail
RescueLost
64-year-old male from East Kingston, NH
Horgan was hiking the Bolles Trail in Albany with his sons when they became separated about 4 miles from the trailhead in an area with no cell service. His sons sent emergency texts to 911; conservation officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue located Horgan about a half-mile up the trail, and he hiked out with rescuers.
Frequently asked questions
How many hiking deaths and rescues are documented in the White Mountains?+
This database documents 510 incidents in the White Mountain National Forest — including 170 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 159 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 2.8 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 212 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 (159). 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 510 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 2.8 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