WMNF Safety Database

What goes wrong in the White Mountains

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.

63127190253'40s'60s'80s'00s'20s'40s'60s'80s'00s'20s
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.

JFMAMJJASOND
Survived51612152529393327251111
Fatal1815161211141014121375

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.

  1. Fall176 total · 124 survived · 52 fatal
  2. Medical88 total · 57 survived · 31 fatal
  3. Hypothermia37 total · 7 survived · 30 fatal
  4. Lost35 total · 33 survived
  5. Avalanche17 total · 2 survived · 15 fatal
  6. Exposure15 total · 7 survived · 8 fatal
  7. Other12 total · 6 survived · 5 fatal
  8. Navigation error11 total · 8 survived
  9. Falling ice5 total · 2 survived · 3 fatal
  10. Drowning5 total · 0 survived · 5 fatal
  11. Water crossing3 total · 2 survived · 1 fatal

Where it happens

Peaks with the most documented incidents. Note that this is raw count, not per-visit — popularity is a confound.

  1. Mount Washington137 total · 28 · 105
  2. Mount Chocorua13 total · 12 · 1
  3. Mount Lafayette12 total · 9 · 3
  4. Mount Madison10 total · 4 · 6
  5. Mount Cannon8 total · 5 · 3
  6. Mount Moosilauke6 total · 5 · 1
  7. Welch-Dickey6 total · 6 · 0
  8. Mount Jefferson6 total · 1 · 5
  9. Mount Adams5 total · 0 · 4
  10. Mount Flume5 total · 5 · 0
  11. Mount Eisenhower5 total · 3 · 1
  12. Mount Cube4 total · 4 · 0

Where incidents happen

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.

89%
Modern survival rate
232 survived, 30 fatal · since 2015
100%
Most-survived cause
Lost · 33/33 live
100%
Most-fatal cause
Drowning · 5/5 die

Documented rescues — what saved them

·Mount Bond

66-year-old male from Plymouth, NH

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.

NH Fish and Game
·Mount Lafayette

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.

NH Fish and Game
·Mount Liberty

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.

NH Fish and Game
·

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.

NH Fish and Game

The full record

Every published incident, freshest first. Search below, or filter by outcome, year, type, or any of the chart breakdowns above.

Outcome
All · 404Survived · 248Fatal · 150
Year
1849 · 11855 · 11856 · 11869 · 11872 · 11874 · 11886 · 11890 · 11900 · 21912 · 11928 · 11929 · 11931 · 11932 · 21933 · 21934 · 11936 · 21937 · 11938 · 11940 · 11941 · 11943 · 11948 · 11949 · 11952 · 21954 · 21956 · 31958 · 31959 · 11962 · 21964 · 31965 · 21968 · 11969 · 51971 · 31972 · 21973 · 11974 · 11975 · 11976 · 31979 · 21980 · 41981 · 11982 · 31983 · 31984 · 11986 · 31990 · 11991 · 11992 · 21994 · 61995 · 11996 · 61997 · 11999 · 22000 · 22001 · 12002 · 22004 · 42008 · 12009 · 12010 · 12011 · 32012 · 72013 · 82014 · 52015 · 12016 · 12017 · 22018 · 32019 · 62020 · 42021 · 92022 · 102023 · 612024 · 792025 · 662026 · 24
Type
Avalanche · 17SAR (no subject found) · 6Rescue · 246Body recovery · 15Fatality · 120
13 matches · mount-chocorua
Clear all

showing 1–13 of 13

·Mount Chocorua·Champney Falls Trail
RescueFall

51-year-old female from Wolfeboro, NH

Payne slipped and fell, fracturing her left ankle, 3.1 miles from the trailhead while serving as a counselor for Boy Scout Troop 232. The group splinted the fracture and iced it; Fish and Game and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried her down, reaching the trailhead at 8:05 p.m. Fish and Game described the group as well prepared.

·Mount Chocorua·Liberty Trail
RescueMedical

76-year-old female from Conway, NH

Sandra Rourke, 76, injured her knee while descending the Liberty Trail on Mt. Chocorua on September 12, 2025, approximately 2.2 miles from the trailhead. She had ascended via the Champney Falls Trail and summited before the injury occurred. Fish and Game Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried her out in a rescue litter, arriving at the trailhead at 12:15 a.m. on September 13.

·Mount Chocorua·Brook Trail
RescueLost

Joshua Donovan, 20, and his sister Alyssa Donovan, 18, both from Lawrence, Massachusetts

Joshua Donovan (20) and Alyssa Donovan (18) became lost off the Brook Trail on Mt. Chocorua while descending from near the summit. Joshua sustained a hip injury after falling multiple times while following the brook attempting to self-rescue. Rescuers located them at 10:40 p.m. a short distance from the Brook Trail and assisted them out by 11:45 p.m.

Off trailInadequate clothing
·Mount Chocorua·Piper Trail
FatalityMedical

58-year-old male resident of Montreal, QC

On October 19, 2024, a 58-year-old hiker from Montreal, QC suffered a fatal medical emergency on the Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua, approximately 2.0 miles from the trailhead. Family members and passing hikers with medical experience assisted him, and CPR was performed for over an hour, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

·Mount Chocorua·Hammond Trail
RescueMedical

25-year-old female from Bellingham, MA

Calie Bridges, 25, injured her ankle while hiking the Hammond Trail on Mt. Chocorua with three friends on September 27, 2024. She continued hiking but slowed significantly, and the group called for help when their phone batteries and lights began failing. Conservation Officers splinted her ankle, provided lights, and she was able to hike out, reaching the trailhead shortly after 3:30 a.m.

Phone battery diedNo headlamp
·Mount Chocorua·Brook Trail
RescueNavigation error

28-year-old female hiker from Flatwoods, KY

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.

No map
·Mount Chocorua·Champney Falls Trail
RescueFall

57-year-old female from Falmouth, ME

Susan Clement, age 57, fell and injured her wrist approximately 0.2 miles from the summit of Mt Chocorua on the Champney Falls Trail. Her husband called 911 and nearby hikers splinted her wrist. Two hikers, a Conservation Officer, and a US Forest Service member assisted her back to the trailhead, arriving at 3:45 p.m.

·Mount Chocorua·Piper Trail
RescueFall

54-year-old male from Hampton, NH, hiking with his dog

Robert Haile, 54, fell on the Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua injuring his knee and was unable to bear weight. A passing hiker called 911, and NHFG Conservation Officers and LRSAR members carried him approximately 3.4 miles to the trailhead in a rescue litter. He arrived at the trailhead at approximately 10:50 p.m. and was transported by his daughter to Portsmouth Hospital.

·Mount Chocorua·Weetamoo Trail
RescueFall

18-year-old female from Pembroke, MA

On May 29, 2023, Alyssa Chahed, 18, severely injured her ankle while descending the Weetamoo Trail on Mt. Chocorua approximately 2.0 miles from the trailhead. She was unable to bear weight and her companions called 911. Rescuers from multiple fire departments and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried her out in a litter, reaching the trailhead shortly before midnight.

·Mount Chocorua·Bee Line Trail
RescueLost

Pauline Sanchez, 36, of San Jose, CA, and Sheena Santos, 34, of Radford, VA

Two hikers became lost after getting off trail while descending the Bee Line Trail on Mt. Chocorua on April 14, 2023. One hiker lost a shoe in deep snow and was unable to recover it. Rescuers located them, provided warm clothes, headlamps, and shoes, and hiked out with them, arriving at the trailhead shortly before 2:00 a.m.

Lesson

Hikers should keep in mind that deep soft snow will persist in the mountains for some time, and the current snow melting cycle is making trails extremely wet with high, fast-moving stream water levels.

Off trailInadequate traction
·Mount Chocorua·Champney Falls Trail
RescueFall

Steven Mathieu, 36, of Somerville, MA

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday October 22, 2022, Mathieu severely injured his ankle 2.5 miles from the trailhead while hiking with six friends. With no cell service, two members hiked out to call for help. Mountain Rescue Service and Lakes Region SAR carried him out in a litter, reaching the trailhead around 11 p.m.; he was taken to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.

·Mount Chocorua·Liberty Trail
RescueMedical

Patrick Cronin, 25, of Stratham, NH

Just after 5 p.m. Saturday July 24, 2021, Cronin, about one mile below the summit of Mt. Chocorua, began swelling and having trouble breathing from an allergic reaction. He was brought down on a utility vehicle, reaching the trailhead around 6:45 p.m.

·Mount Chocorua·Piper Trail / Brook Trail
RescueLost

Joshua Hayes, age 26, and Emily Smith, age 27, both of Shapleigh, Maine

Two hikers from Maine summited Mount Chocorua via the Piper Trail and on descent missed a turn, inadvertently following the Brook Trail away from their vehicle. Caught by darkness with no headlamps and no map, they called 911 at 4:50 p.m. and were located and escorted to the Liberty Trailhead by Fish and Game officers around 7:10 p.m.

Lesson

Hikers should carry a map and compass or GPS, a headlamp with extra batteries, and warm clothing; plan extra time especially in winter when darkness comes early; and let someone know their itinerary. Do not rely on cell phone coverage in backcountry areas.

No mapNo headlampLate start

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

Download the full dataset (CSV)

Database last refreshed at .