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RescueOutcome: Rescued by SARLost

Rescue — Wilderness Trail, Jun 25, 2025

·Wilderness Trail

69-year-old female hiker from Portsmouth, NH

Deborah VanPatten, 69, activated an emergency SOS via satellite device after feeling lost on the Wilderness Trail approximately 7.7–8 miles from the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. She was uninjured but had traveled farther into the remote area than intended and did not want to worsen her situation by moving into unfamiliar terrain. A Conservation Officer and a Good Samaritan hiker located her at 7:53 p.m. and transported her by ATV to the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, arriving safely at 11:40 p.m.

What we can learn

Conservation Officers reminded outdoor enthusiasts to prepare for their activity and possible complications, and to always have a back-up plan; they directed the public to www.hikesafe.com.

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.

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