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RescueOutcome: Rescued by SARLost

Rescue — Mount Lafayette, Jul 12, 2014

·Mount Lafayette·Garfield Ridge Trail

Al Diaz, 28, of Roslindale, MA, and hiking companions

Al Diaz, 28, of Roslindale, MA, and several hiking companions with no prior White Mountains experience missed the Greenleaf Trail cutoff near Mount Lafayette and continued more than a mile onto the Garfield Ridge Trail. Around 8:45 p.m. Diaz began experiencing medical issues and called for help, and AMC Greenleaf Hut staff brought additional clothing, fluids, and food before NH Fish and Game officers met the group below the Mount Lafayette summit overnight. Diaz spent the night at Greenleaf Hut and hiked out via the Bridle Path the next morning.

What we can learn

Confirm trail junctions against a map; missing a cutoff in unfamiliar, difficult terrain can extend a day hike into an overnight requiring rescue.

Contributing factors

Underestimated distance
Before you head out: check the forecast, carry the Ten Essentials, leave your plans with someone, and be willing to turn back. See current conditions for Mount Lafayette →

Other recorded incidents on Mount Lafayette

Part of the WMNF Hiker Incident Database. Every entry cites a primary or near-primary source; details are refined as the record is reviewed.