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Body recoveryOutcome: FatalFall

Body recovery — Mount Washington, Jul 16, 2025

·Mount Washington·Lion Head Trail

William Davis, 79, of Jacksonville, Florida

William Davis, 79, of Jacksonville, Florida, rode the Cog Railway to the summit of Mount Washington and was last seen near the observation deck around 3:20 p.m. on July 16, 2025, before wandering off. He briefly reached a state park employee by cellphone reporting he was off-trail but could not describe his location before his phone died. After a three-day NH Fish and Game-led search using helicopters, drones, and ground crews, his body was found around 11 a.m. on July 18 about 400 feet off the Lion Head Trail, between the Alpine Garden and Tuckerman Ravine trails; officials said he had clearly suffered a significant fall from a steep, rocky slope.

What we can learn

Summit visitors who arrive by Cog Railway or Auto Road are above treeline in alpine terrain with cliffs and steep, rocky slopes. Carry a map, stay on marked trails and within the developed summit area, and never wander off-trail without telling someone your destination.

Contributing factors

No mapOff trailPhone-only navigationPhone battery died
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 Washington →

Other recorded incidents on Mount Washington

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