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.
Three hikers were descending the Falling Waters Trail on Friday night when darkness fell and, without lights, they could no longer follow the route. Fish and Game said they lacked appropriate clothing to spend the night and were wearing sneakers on the icy trail, which slowed their descent.
Lesson
Hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek and to pack 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.
39-year-old male hiker from Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Edward Pimental, 39, took the wrong trail from the summit of Mount Lafayette on May 1, 2025, continuing north onto Garfield Ridge instead of descending his intended route. Without a map, he became unsure of his location, encountered snow and ice, and was unable to set up shelter in heavy wind and rain before calling 911. Conservation Officers and Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team reached him 4.2 miles up the Skookumchuk Trail at 4:20 a.m. on May 2 and guided him out; he was uninjured.
Lesson
Pimental admittedly said he was unprepared for this hike and failed to do the proper research. Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to follow the hikeSafe code and be prepared with knowledge and gear, including the ten essential items.
Two hikers making a 7-mile loop called for help from waist-deep snow on the Snapper Trail without snowshoes or headlamps and with low phone batteries; contact was lost when their batteries died. They later found a battery charger in their pack, reached a more packed trail, and were self-rescuing when located.
Lesson
NH Fish and Game stated that failing to bring snowshoes or headlamps was what necessitated the rescue call, and reminded hikers to bring the ten essential items and additional gear for winter conditions.
On August 24, 2024, Katie Harris, 28, became disoriented on Mt. Chocorua and contacted NH Fish and Game for assistance. She was monitored by phone and directed to stay on the Brook Trail, arriving at the trailhead shortly before 9:00 p.m. She was then driven back to the Champney Falls trailhead where her vehicle was parked.
Lesson
NH Fish and Game reminded hikers that trail markers around summit areas can be sparse and it is important to research and be confident in the chosen route; a full-size paper map is extremely useful to understand how trails are connected.
Jonathan Long, 26, leading three youths ages 13-14 from the Boston, MA area
The group was descending the Flume Slide Trail about 3 miles from the trailhead but could not continue because they had no lights and no overnight gear. Because of cold temperatures and the group's unprepared state, a rescue was initiated; officers provided lights and food so they could descend.
No headlampNo emergency shelterNovice in winter terrain
On July 26, 2023, Misty Hughes, 49, inadvertently left the Osceola Trail while navigating with AllTrails and climbed onto a steep, slippery exposed ledge on East Osceola, becoming stranded and unable to continue up or down. Three Conservation Officers hiked two miles with ropes and harnesses and reached her at 3:00 p.m., assisting her off the slope using a rope and climbing harness by 3:45 p.m. Hughes suffered no injuries and was reunited with family at the trailhead.
Lesson
Appropriate footwear including hiking boots that provide support, protection, and traction should be worn while hiking, particularly given slippery trail conditions caused by prolonged rainy weather.
Chamley climbed Mounts Adams and Jefferson on April 22, 2018, then 'decided to bail off' and descended to the Mount Washington Hotel, checking in at 1 a.m. Monday. A message to his wife failed to send, triggering a large overdue-hiker search before he was located unharmed at the hotel. Fish and Game characterized the search as a waste of time, money and resources.
Two hikers attempting the Falling Waters/Bridle Path Loop mistakenly took the Garfield Ridge Trail from the summit after encountering strong winds, then realized they could not exit before dark without proper equipment. They called 911 at 4:00 PM and Conservation Officers directed them to the Garfield Trail and escorted them out, reaching the trailhead at 7:20 PM. The hikers lacked gear to travel after dark or spend the night in winter conditions.
Lesson
Fish and Game officials stressed that it is critically important to pack for winter conditions and be prepared for the worst, as the White Mountains have had winter conditions, snow, and ice for some time regardless of conditions elsewhere in the state.
No headlampInadequate tractionNo emergency shelterInadequate clothing
Six Tufts University Mountain Club students, ages 19-20
Six Tufts University students became lost after mistakenly taking the Dry River Cutoff trail instead of the Mizpah Cutoff trail while descending Mount Pierce. They ended up in the Dry River Wilderness area, where the trail is closed due to Hurricane Irene damage including washed-out bridges and downed trees. Four Conservation Officers located all six hikers unharmed at 2:30 AM and walked them out to the Route 302 trailhead.
Lesson
Pack appropriate clothing and equipment while hiking; hikes often take longer than anticipated and weather is unpredictable. Visit hikesafe.com for a list of recommended winter hiking equipment.
Ewald Weiss left the Summit House intending to walk across the northern Presidentials to Mount Adams in August 1890. He was never found.
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