A searchable record of fatalities, rescues, and search-and-rescue missions in the White Mountain National Forest, drawn from NH Fish and Game press releases, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, and major regional outlets quoting agency statements.
Compiled and maintained by Nick Dube, NH 48 finisher and longtime White Mountains hiker · updated daily from NH Fish & Game. Modern-era (2015+) figures best represent current risk — the deep historical record skews fatal because routine rescues weren’t archived the way deaths were.
404
Total incidents
Documented since 1849
248
Survived
Self-rescued or rescued by SAR
150
Fatal
6 missing, never found
89%
Survival rate · 2015+
262 modern incidents
This database is a work in progress. We’re actively reviewing sources and adding incidents, so counts will grow and details may be refined over time.
Before you go: the Hiker Responsibility Code
Nearly every incident in this database was survivable — and many were preventable. You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:
1.With knowledge and gear
2.To leave your plans
3.To stay together
4.To turn back
5.For emergencies
6.To share the hiker code with others
Check the current conditions before any hike, carry the Ten Essentials, start early, and turn around when weather or daylight runs short.
The long record
Documented incidents by decade. Survived rescues in forest green, fatalities in alert red. Hover a decade for its breakdown, or a year marker for the milestone. The pre-2015 period skews fatal not because the backcountry was deadlier then, but because rescues are not archived the way deaths are.
1849
1901
1954
1982
2015
SurvivedFatalMissing or unknown
When incidents happen
Documented incidents by month. Darker = more. Incidents cluster in July; winter incidents skew toward ice and traction, summer toward heat and exhaustion.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Survived
5
16
12
15
25
29
39
33
27
25
11
11
Fatal
18
15
16
12
11
14
10
14
12
13
7
5
Based on incidents with a known date. Use it to plan the season — not to assume any month is “safe.”
What goes wrong
Primary cause of each incident, split by outcome. Click a row to filter the database below.
Incidents mapped to the peak they’re linked to — bigger, redder circles mean more incidents and a higher fatal share. Click a peak to see its record.
Only incidents linked to a specific peak appear here; trail- or region-only reports are in the database below.
The playbook
What works · what gets people out alive
The bulk of WMNF backcountry incidents end in successful rescue. NH Fish and Game handles 200+ a year statewide; what follows is what the documented modern record (2015+) shows about the patterns that get people home.
Bailey, hiking out alone after a night at Guyot Shelter, slipped and fell on a steep descent of the Bondcliff Trail, injuring his leg about 7.5 miles into the backcountry. He texted NH 911 and was hoisted out by an Army National Guard Black Hawk and flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock. Fish and Game noted he was well-prepared.
Lesson · Hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek by packing the ten essential items: map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants, and a knife.
Susan Kuruvilla, 71, of Pennsylvania; Mini Kuruvilla, 52, of Texas; Joel Mathew, 21, of Connecticut
Three hikers started the Franconia Ridge Loop at 9:00 a.m. on May 11, 2026, and by 9:00 p.m. found themselves approximately 2 miles from the trailhead with no lights and unable to locate the trail as temperatures dropped into the low 20s. Conservation Officers hiked up the Old Bridle Path, located the group, provided lights, and assisted them back to the trailhead at 2:00 a.m. on May 12.
Lesson · NH Fish and Game reminded hikers that it is still winter in the mountains with snow, wind, and freezing temperatures, and to bring at least the 10 essentials on any hike.
Two female hikers, ages 38 and 43, from Quebec, Canada
On April 27, 2026, Jessica Fournier-Chartrand (38) and Annie Petrin (43) became disoriented on the Franconia Ridge Trail between Mount Liberty and Little Haystack Mountain due to fading light and knee-deep snow. They called for help while navigating with the AllTrails app, which they reported contributed to their confusion. Two conservation officers reached the pair at 11:15 p.m. and assisted them down 2.2 miles of steep icy trail, exiting at 2:22 a.m. on April 28 without injuries.
Lesson · New Hampshire Fish and Game reminded everyone that winter conditions still exist in the White Mountains and directed hikers to hikesafe.com for safe hiking tips and essential gear information.
56-year-old male from North Reading, Massachusetts
Jonathan Gullotti, 56, left the Glen Boulder trailhead at approximately 8:45 a.m. on April 20, 2026, became caught in a snowstorm, made several wrong turns, and ended up on the Rocky Branch Trail. He called for help after realizing he was lost and needed directions out. Conservation Officers and US Forest Service members drove to within approximately 2 miles of Gullotti and directed him out by approximately 7:40 p.m.
Lesson · Hikers are reminded that spring conditions in the mountains can change quickly and preparation is important; having the 10 essentials, including a map, can greatly improve the outcome of a mountain trip.
Wood drove to Lafayette Campground in Lincoln to camp and hike the weekend of April 17, 2026, starting out April 18 in warm, clear weather; he was unprepared for the 3-5 inches of snow that fell April 19-20. After family had no contact for two days, they reported him overdue April 21, and officers located him deceased 5.5 miles from his vehicle on a remote section of the Kinsman Pond Trail at 7:41 p.m.
Lesson
New Hampshire Fish and Game reminds hikers that it is still winter in the mountains with deep snow, precipitation, and freezing temperatures.
Strommer was caught in windblown snow about 0.3 miles below the summit with a dying headlamp and cell phone and no backup equipment; the summit temperature was 21°F with a wind chill of 3°F. He picked his way up by cairns until he reached a State Park truck's headlights and was driven to the summit to warm up. Fish and Game said he was 'absolutely unprepared' for above-treeline conditions.
Lesson
Fish and Game emphasized the situation could have had a very bad outcome and stressed preparation for above-treeline winter conditions.
No headlampPhone battery diedInadequate clothingIgnored forecast
Lauren Poole, 33, of Manchester, NH; avid hiker but novice in spring conditions
On March 16, 2025, Lauren Poole became mired in deep, softening snow on the Carter-Moriah Trail on Mt. Moriah, fell multiple times, sustained a leg injury, and became soaked in steady rain. A team of 4 Conservation Officers and 11 AVSAR volunteers reached her at 11:15 p.m. and provided first aid and dry clothing. After navigating swollen brooks, the rescue crew returned her safely to Route 16 at 4:18 a.m. on March 17.
Lesson
Conservation Officers remind hikers to be extremely cognizant of rapidly changing spring conditions in the mountains, including soft snow, wet conditions, and rapidly rising brooks that present hidden dangers.
Three males aged 24, 24, and 25 from Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA
On February 9, 2025, three hikers attempting the Falling Waters/Bridle Path Loop on Franconia Ridge activated an SOS via Garmin device at 5:30 p.m. after becoming caught in white-out conditions with deep snow and suffering cold-related injuries near Mount Lincoln. Rescuers made contact with the group just below Greenleaf Hut at 9:10 p.m., provided light sources after some of theirs had died, and escorted them to the trailhead by 10:20 p.m. The group was noted to be fairly well prepared for winter conditions but lacked experience above treeline.
Lesson
Winter conditions exist in the mountains and hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek to include packing the ten essential items: map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants, and a knife.
Novice in winter terrainNo headlampIgnored forecast
72-year-old male from Virginia (name withheld pending notification)
A hiker found the man's body on the Gulfside Trail near the West Side Trail junction, about a half-mile below the summit. Fish and Game believes he rode the Cog to the summit on August 21 and then tried to hike down; he was dressed in jeans, a navy blue raincoat, and brown hiking boots, and was not prepared for the conditions. Death attributed to likely environmental exposure pending autopsy.
Lesson
Fish and Game noted he was not prepared for the cold, wet, windy conditions at higher summits.
On May 9, 2024, Francois Nadeau and Pierre Nadeau of Quebec, Canada became wet, tired, and unable to continue on Mt. Washington due to deep snow and limited visibility. They called 911 at approximately 5:18 p.m. Three Conservation Officers located the hikers at 10:10 p.m. and escorted them up the Wamsutta Trail to the Auto Road.
Lesson
Conservation Officers remind people that winter conditions still persist at elevation throughout New Hampshire's White Mountains and to prepare accordingly. Visit www.hikesafe.com for more information.
Inadequate clothingNovice in winter terrainIgnored forecast
·Mount Guyot·Pemigewasset Wilderness (between Bond and Guyot)
Body recoveryExposure
Solo male hiker (name not stated in release)
Acquaintances alerted 911 after a phone call with the solo hiker, who was between Mount Bond and Mount Guyot and 'very cold' in heavy winds, single-digit temperatures, and snow. National Guard flights could not reach the area due to low clouds; a Mountain Rescue Service team reached him at 5 p.m. January 17 but he was deceased, and a multi-team ground/air recovery followed on January 18.
Lesson
Proper attire including traction devices and snowshoes are recommended for winter conditions in New Hampshire's mountains; hikers are encouraged to visit hikesafe.com for safe hiking tips and essential gear lists.
Guopeng 'Tony' Li, 28, of Salem, NH (originally from Hebei Province, China)
Li set out alone around 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve on the 8.6-mile Bridle Path/Falling Waters loop in near-zero temperatures. A family member in China tracking his phone saw it die at 6:15 p.m. with him lost off-trail south of Mount Lincoln. His body was found around 6:45 a.m. December 25 about a half-mile off the Falling Waters Trail; family described him as inexperienced.
Sotelo was dropped off the morning of November 20 for a solo hike of Lafayette, Haystack, and Flume; per Pemigewasset Valley SAR, temperatures along the ridge were about zero degrees with 30-40 mph winds. When she did not return, a multi-day search ensued; searchers found her tracks and belongings at the headwaters of Lafayette Brook on November 22, and her body was recovered November 23, about three-quarters of a mile off the trail. Officials said she likely died of exposure. Her parents told WMUR she was an experienced summer hiker but had little winter experience.
Sanford set out on an up-and-back hike via the Glencliff Trail on Sunday March 14, 2021. After he failed to return, a search was launched; per NHFG, officers 'experienced blizzard conditions with snow, heavy wind gusts and below freezing temperatures right from the trailhead.' The ground team observed foot tracks in fresh snow heading down Gorge Brook from the summit and reached his body at about 3:40 p.m. Monday March 15; he was pronounced dead at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Lesson
NHFG cited the blizzard conditions as a major contributing factor.
·Mount Madison·Madison Spring Hut (attempting a Presidential traverse from Pinkham Notch)
RescueExposure
Andrew Carlson, of Madeira Beach, Florida
Carlson was caught in an early-season storm; per NH Fish and Game, 'the weather conditions on the ridge were brutal mid-winter conditions with a wind chill of minus 1 degree Fahrenheit, wind speed steady around 40 mph, and snow accumulation approaching 3 feet in higher elevations.' He activated a SPOT beacon around 9 a.m. and sheltered beneath the closed Madison Spring Hut. AVSAR reached him about 1:40 p.m., cold but uninjured, and he hiked out under his own power, reaching the trailhead around 4:30 p.m.
SoloWeather window missed
·Mount Adams·Star Lake Trail (between Mount Madison and Mount Adams), Northern Presidential Range
FatalityExposure
Kate Matrosova, 32, of New York City (experienced mountaineer)
Matrosova began a solo winter traverse of the Northern Presidentials before dawn on February 15, 2015. The Mount Washington Observatory forecast called for a high of -20°F with winds rising to 80-100 mph (gusts to 125 mph) and wind chills as low as -75°F. She activated a personal locator beacon that afternoon; her body was found the next day near Star Lake. Death was attributed to exposure.
Lesson
Mike Cherim of Androscoggin Valley SAR's Above Treeline Winter Team told Northeast Explorer he believed Matrosova 'did everything right — except for being out there,' adding 'One twisted ankle and we're all screwed.' SAR experts identified the fatal flaw as her decision to proceed despite the forecast of an approaching storm.
David Humphrey, age 75, set out on May 4, 2014 from Crawford Notch intending to hike 21 miles over multiple 4,000-foot summits in a single day, equipped only for a day hike with no overnight gear. He encountered up to two feet of snow, ice, and rain, became wet, cold, and fatigued, and called 911 at 9:30 p.m. after being stranded on Bond Cliff summit overnight. He was rescued by Conservation Officers and a U.S. Army National Guard helicopter on May 5 and suffered symptoms of hypothermia.
Lesson
Fish and Game urged spring hikers to be patient and cautious before venturing into high elevations, to be fully prepared with sufficient food, equipment, clothing and overnight gear, and to heed weather reports and check summit conditions through AMC, local weather stations, and the Mount Washington Observatory.
No emergency shelterInadequate clothingUnderestimated distanceNovice in winter terrainIgnored forecast
Two hikers, male age 28 and female age 27, both of Brownsville, Vermont; also a second separate incident involving a 23-year-old special needs male hiker on Mt. Sunapee who became separated from his caregivers
On October 7, 2013, Raymond Barnard (28) and Stephanie Watkins (27) were caught by a severe storm with winds near 90 mph and heavy rain on the exposed summit of Mt. Madison, causing them to shelter among rocks on the Pine Link Trail. Rescuers located them just after 1:00 AM approximately a quarter mile from Madison Springs Hut; they were cold and wet but able to walk out, arriving at the trailhead around 4:40 AM. A separate incident the same day involved Matthew Weinstein, a 23-year-old special needs hiker who became separated from his caregivers on Mt. Sunapee and was found approximately five miles away in good health.
Lesson
Hikers should be self-sufficient with sleeping bags and shelter as backcountry huts reduce services in late season; rain gear may fail in extreme conditions; cell phone GPS coordinates can be unreliable in the mountains so hikers should track trail signs and landmarks; plan for shorter days, check weather forecasts, and stay together as a group.
67-year-old author and mountaineer from East Corinth, VT
Guy Waterman, 67, a renowned Northeast mountaineer and co-author of Forest and Crag and Wilderness Ethics, climbed Mount Lafayette on February 6, 2000 and intentionally died of exposure near the summit. Friends, alerted by letters he had sent in advance, recovered his body in the following days. The case is widely documented in regional mountaineering literature and was discussed publicly by his widow, author Laura Waterman, in her memoir Losing the Garden.
Solo
Frequently asked questions
How many hiking deaths and rescues are documented in the White Mountains?+
This database documents 404 incidents in the White Mountain National Forest — including 150 fatalities — dating back to 1849. It is not a complete tally of every rescue: NH Fish and Game responds to roughly 200 backcountry incidents a year statewide. It captures the documented fatality record plus a growing, primary-sourced sample of rescues, updated daily.
What is the most common cause of hiking incidents in the White Mountains?+
In this dataset, the most frequently recorded primary factor is fall, in 176 incidents. Getting lost, falls, hypothermia, and underestimating the terrain recur throughout the record — and most are preventable with preparation.
Which White Mountain peak has the most recorded incidents?+
Mount Washington has the most recorded incidents in this database (137). Higher counts reflect both terrain and popularity — the busiest, most exposed peaks generate the most calls, so this is not a pure measure of danger.
Is Mount Washington dangerous to hike?+
Mount Washington and the Presidential Range pair some of the world's most extreme, fast-changing weather with miles of exposure above treeline. The documented record shows hypothermia, falls, and getting lost as recurring factors — even in summer. It is regularly hiked safely, but it demands real preparation: check the Higher Summits Forecast, carry layers and traction, and be willing to turn back.
How can I avoid needing a search and rescue?+
Follow the hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code — you are responsible for yourself, so be prepared: (1) with knowledge and gear, (2) to leave your plans, (3) to stay together, (4) to turn back, (5) for emergencies, and (6) to share the hiker code with others. Check the forecast, carry the Ten Essentials, start early, and turn around when conditions or daylight run short.
Where does this data come from, and can I cite it?+
Every entry is drawn from a primary or near-primary source — NH Fish and Game press releases, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, the American Alpine Club accident archive, or major regional outlets quoting agency statements — and the database updates daily from new NH Fish and Game releases. You're welcome to cite it; a suggested citation and a downloadable CSV are at the bottom of this page.
About this dataset
This database contains 404 documented incidents in the White Mountain National Forest. Each row is sourced from a primary or near-primary report — NH Fish and Game press releases, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, the American Alpine Club's accident archive, or major regional outlets quoting agency statements.
The rescue-to-fatality ratio shown here is not the WMNF safety ratio. Fatalities have been consistently archived since the 19th century; routine rescues have not. NH Fish and Game handles roughly 200 backcountry incidents a year statewide — this database currently captures a fraction of them in detail, alongside the historical fatality record. Modern-era (2015+) figures are the most representative.
Every entry is a real person and a real event. We publish them as a public-safety resource, not as a memorial leaderboard. Names appear only when published in the cited source. If you are a family member and would like an entry adjusted or removed, contact us via the site footer.
Citing this data: HikerNerd. (2026). White Mountain National Forest Hiker Incident Database. https://hikernerd.com/safety/incidents