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.
Shane Squires, 35, of New Bedford, MA, and Robert Conlon, 41, of Haverhill, MA
The two lost the trail descending from Lafayette's summit on the Greenleaf Trail; one fell and claimed a lower-leg injury while both were above treeline in about 10°F, heavy winds, and waist-deep snow. One suffered severe hypothermia and was in and out of consciousness. A Pemi Valley Search and Rescue team warmed them and helped them hike out; both were treated for frostbite.
Lesson
Fish and Game stated that hikers unable to follow the Hiker Responsibility Code should consider staying home, as such rescues put rescuers at great risk.
Off trailInadequate clothing
·No specific peak·Gulfside Trail
RescueHypothermia
55-year-old woman from Austin, TX
Caroline Wilson, 55, of Austin, TX, was found hypothermic and unable to move or communicate on the Gulfside Trail approximately 1 mile north of the Cog Railway tracks on June 20, 2025. Her husband called 911 at 5:00 p.m.; rescuers from AVSAR, PEMI SAR, MRS, and Cog Railway personnel reached her via a Cog train, treated her in a temporary shelter, and carried her by litter back to the train. She was transported to Littleton Regional Healthcare; conditions on the Presidential Range that day included winds up to 120 mph and temperatures of 20°F.
Patrick Bittman, solo male hiker (resident of Portland, ME)
Bittman set out alone at 12:15 a.m. for a winter night hike of the Franconia Ridge loop, became disoriented near the first summit, lost the trail and fled down a steep gully shedding gear, then collapsed waist-deep in snow. He spent roughly 15 hours in the snow before an Army National Guard helicopter evacuation; a Fish and Game report cited cotton layers, insufficient preparation, and poor judgment.
Lesson
Fish and Game's report cited cotton layers and insufficient preparation for winter above-treeline conditions.
20-year-old male and 18-year-old female, brother and sister
Two hikers fell into Lincoln Brook twice on November 23, 2024, soaking all their clothing and developing early-stage hypothermia approximately 8.5 miles from the trailhead. They set up camp and used a Garmin InReach to notify Dartmouth Outdoor Programs staff, who relayed a rescue request to NHFG. Two conservation officers reached them at 2:30 a.m., provided dry clothing, and the hikers were able to walk out, arriving at the trailhead at 7:15 a.m.
Lesson
Winter conditions have arrived 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.
Phaneendra Uppalapati, 44, and Shirisha Mallala, 41, both of Nashua, NH
During severe weather (steady rain, 58 mph gusts, 29°F wind chill) the pair slowed significantly and were found extremely wet and cold just below the Lion Head Trail junction, about a half-mile below the summit, during a night of multiple back-to-back rescues around Mt. Washington.
Lesson
People venturing out into the backcountry, even in August, are reminded to pack for survival situations, thoroughly research the weather and trail conditions, and be prepared with gear and knowledge to self-rescue if things get bad.
Bryan Morse, 29, and Samantha Nigro, 26, of Franklin, NH
The couple started up Falling Waters at 1 p.m., summited Little Haystack by 7:30 p.m., and pushed on toward Liberty Springs; about a quarter-mile past the summit they began succumbing to cold, wet conditions after rain off and on all day, and called 911. Rescuers reached them and assisted them off the ridge.
Lesson
Fish and Game noted such events could be avoided by checking the high-elevation forecast (e.g., mountwashington.org) and preparing for those conditions.
Ignored forecastInadequate clothing
·Mount Clay·Gulfside Trail
FatalityHypothermia
Xi Chen, 53, of Andover, MA
Attempting a solo Presidential Traverse on Saturday June 18, 2022, Chen texted his wife that he was cold and wet, could not continue, and felt he would die without rescue. Per NHFG, 'rescuers endured driving rain, blowing snow, and sustained 50-60 mph winds with gusts over 80 mph' to reach him on the Gulfside Trail near Mt. Clay at 10:38 p.m., where he was unresponsive and severely hypothermic. He was carried to the summit and driven down but could not be revived, and was pronounced dead at Androscoggin Valley Hospital. His wife told NBC Boston he was an experienced hiker who had completed 19 of NH's 4,000-footers and was working on his 20th: 'He's not a quitter, that probably actually got him into trouble this time.'
Lesson
NHFG said the dangerous forecast was well-publicized but 'was not heeded by many hikers,' and that in such conditions 'it is better to descend and get out of the wind and cold instead of pushing on until it is too late.'
·Mount Washington·Lion Head Trail (found above the Alpine Garden Trail junction)
RescueHypothermia
James Clark, 80, of Dublin, Ohio
Clark was left to hike at his own pace while two family members summited and descended a different trail; he was reported overdue at about 7:45 p.m. on June 13, 2019, with no overnight gear, cellphone, or light. Rescuers found him on the Lion Head Trail in a fetal position with hypothermia, warmed him, and carried him about 1.7 miles to the Auto Road by 5 a.m.; he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Lesson
NH Fish and Game confirmed a billing/negligence review and planned to bill Clark roughly $2,400 for the overnight rescue. Lt. Mark Ober's takeaway: 'This probably wouldn't have happened if the group had stayed together.'
No headlampNo emergency shelterInadequate clothing
·Mount Washington·Lion Head Trail / Alpine Garden Trail area (~5,300 ft); some outlets reported off the Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Body recoveryHypothermia
François Carrier, 47, of Drummondville, Quebec
Carrier was last seen on the Mount Washington Auto Road on May 9, 2016, and reported missing May 12. After an extensive search, passing hikers found his body on May 28 at about 5,300 feet. An autopsy attributed death to environmental hypothermia.
Brenda Cox, 43, and her husband Russell summited Mount Lafayette on March 21, 2004 despite warnings from descending hikers about deteriorating weather. Caught in a whiteout, they took the wrong trail on descent and were stranded two nights above treeline. Per the American Alpine Club analysis, 'sometime during the night, Mrs. Cox slipped into hypothermia and died.' Her husband survived and was airlifted out the next morning. AAC cited failure to turn back, failure to follow the planned route, and inadequate clothing for a forecast winter storm.
Lesson
AAC report flags three compounding decisions: ignoring on-trail warnings from descending hikers, continuing to summit into a known incoming storm, and a winter gear loadout insufficient for an unplanned overnight above treeline.
37-year-old male winter backpacker from Athol, Massachusetts
Kenneth Holmes, 37, departed on a solo winter backpacking trip on January 12, 2004 from Lincoln Woods and was reported overdue on January 14. His body was recovered on January 15 near South Twin Mountain at 4,600 feet elevation; the Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was hypothermia due to environmental exposure. Rescue personnel noted behavioral signs consistent with advanced hypothermia, including removal of clothing and erratic movement, during a period of extreme cold with wind chills reported as low as -94°F on Mt. Washington.
40-year-old community college music professor from South Orange, NJ
Monroe Couper, 40, and his partner Eric Lattey left the Harvard Cabin late on February 26, 1994 (returning for a forgotten rope) to climb Pinnacle Gully. Last seen high on the route at ~5 p.m., they were stopped by 90+ mph winds and -18°F cold. Without sleeping bags or food (only a stove), they died of hypothermia in an emergency bivouac at the edge of the Alpine Garden; bodies found February 28.
Late startIgnored forecastNo emergency shelterNovice in winter terrain
Eric Lattey, 28, and his partner Monroe Couper left the Harvard Cabin late on February 26, 1994 (returning for a forgotten rope) to climb Pinnacle Gully. Last seen high on the route at ~5 p.m., they were stopped by 90+ mph winds and -18°F cold. Without sleeping bags or food (only a stove), they died of hypothermia in an emergency bivouac at the edge of the Alpine Garden; bodies found February 28.
Late startIgnored forecastNo emergency shelterNovice in winter terrain
Derek Tinkham, 20, attempted a winter northern Presidential traverse with Jeremy Haas on January 15, 1994 in a forecast extreme cold-and-wind event. Per the American Alpine Club, 'The temperature on the summit of Mount Washington the night Jeremy Haas arrived there was -42° F, and the winds were gusting up to 100 mph.' Underdressed and carrying sleeping bags rated only to -10°F, Tinkham succumbed near Jefferson's summit; Haas left him in a bivouac and crawled to the summit observatory, surviving with severe frostbite. The pair had passed trails to the heated Gray Knob cabin.
Lesson
Heed multi-day extreme winter forecasts. Sleep systems rated to the forecast low — not the median — and treeline-shelter bailouts are non-negotiable on the northern Presidential traverse.
Judy March, 17, died of exposure on the Crawford Path about a quarter mile below the summit of Mount Washington in July 1958 alongside her companion Paul Zanet.
Paul Zanet, 24, died of exposure on the Crawford Path about a quarter mile below the summit of Mount Washington in July 1958 alongside his companion Judy March.
23-year-old from Cambridge, MA, no prior mountain experience
Jacques Parysko, 23, survived the avalanche that destroyed the igloo he and Philip Longnecker had built at the foot of the Tuckerman Ravine headwall on January 31, 1954. Improperly dressed for the conditions, he fled down the Sherburne Ski Trail and died of exposure near the Harvard cabin, having passed three emergency telephones and two first-aid caches en route.
Lesson
Emergency telephones and shelters on Mount Washington are useless if hypothermia clouds judgment to the point of walking past them. The decision point is staying put — at a known shelter — rather than fleeing.
Joseph Caggiano, 22, died of exhaustion and exposure on the Gulfside Trail near Madison Hut in August 1938 while crossing the Presidentials from Mount Washington.
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