RescueOutcome: Rescued by SARLost
Rescue — Mount Haystack, Dec 11, 2013
·Mount Haystack·Falling Waters Trail
21-year-old male from Wilmington, Massachusetts
David Fielding, 21, of Wilmington, MA, hiked the Falling Waters Trail on December 11, 2013, then intentionally went off trail and became lost. He spent a bitterly cold night out and was found by other hikers near the summit of Mount Haystack around 12:30 p.m. the following day, mildly hypothermic, and was airlifted to Littleton Hospital.
What we can learn
NHFG noted the hiker's mistakes were hiking alone, intentionally leaving the marked trail, and hiking when inclement weather was predicted; they reminded hikers that mid-winter Arctic-like conditions prevail above treeline.
Contributing factors
SoloOff trailInadequate clothingIgnored forecast