WMNF incident database
Mount Major

Mount Major Hiking Incidents, Deaths & Rescues

Mount Major appears in 6 documented incidents in this database — 5 survived and 1 fatal. The causes that recur most here are fall, medical, other. Higher counts partly reflect how heavily a peak is hiked, not just how dangerous it is — it’s hiked safely far more often than not, but it rewards real preparation.

6
Incidents
5
Survived
1
Fatal

Most common causes on Mount Major

  • Fall3 incidents
  • Medical2 incidents
  • Other1 incident

When incidents happen

Documented incidents by month. Darker = more. Incidents cluster in March; winter incidents skew toward ice and traction, summer toward heat and exhaustion.

JFMAMJJASOND
Survived1211
Fatal1

Based on incidents with a known date. Use it to plan the season — not to assume any month is “safe.”

Every documented incident on Mount Major

Each links to the full sourced report.

Planning to hike Mount Major? Most of these were survivable with preparation. Check current conditions and the best-day forecast for Mount Major before you go.

Frequently asked

Is Mount Major dangerous to hike?+

Mount Major appears in 6 documented incidents in this database, including 1 fatal. The most common contributing factors here are fall, medical, other. Higher counts partly reflect how heavily a peak is hiked, not just how dangerous it is — Mount Major is hiked safely far more often than not. Check the forecast, carry the Ten Essentials, start early, and be willing to turn back when conditions or daylight run short.

How many people have died on Mount Major?+

This database documents 1 death on Mount Major out of 6 recorded incidents. The record reaches back into the historical archive and is updated as new reports are reviewed, so it captures the documented fatality record plus a growing, primary-sourced sample of rescues — not a complete tally of every call.

Part of the WMNF Hiker Incident Database. This tracks hiking and backcountry incidents — widely-cited mountain death tolls also count non-hiking fatalities (railway and auto-road accidents, aircraft, skiing, natural causes at the summit) that this database doesn't. Counts reflect the documented record, not every call NH Fish and Game responds to.