Fatality — Mount Clay, Jun 18, 2022
Xi Chen, 53, of Andover, MA
Attempting a solo Presidential Traverse on Saturday June 18, 2022, Chen texted his wife that he was cold and wet, could not continue, and felt he would die without rescue. Per NHFG, 'rescuers endured driving rain, blowing snow, and sustained 50-60 mph winds with gusts over 80 mph' to reach him on the Gulfside Trail near Mt. Clay at 10:38 p.m., where he was unresponsive and severely hypothermic. He was carried to the summit and driven down but could not be revived, and was pronounced dead at Androscoggin Valley Hospital. His wife told NBC Boston he was an experienced hiker who had completed 19 of NH's 4,000-footers and was working on his 20th: 'He's not a quitter, that probably actually got him into trouble this time.'
What we can learn
NHFG said the dangerous forecast was well-publicized but 'was not heeded by many hikers,' and that in such conditions 'it is better to descend and get out of the wind and cold instead of pushing on until it is too late.'
Contributing factors