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.
juvenile hiker traveling with a school group from Connecticut
On May 29, 2026, a juvenile hiker traveling with a school group from Connecticut suffered a lower-leg injury on the Old Bridle Path and was unable to continue. Conservation Officers and members of the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and Franconia Notch State Park staff carried the hiker approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead. The hiker was transported by LinWood Ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital for further treatment.
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.
Solo
·No specific peak·Bolles Trail
RescueLost
64-year-old male from East Kingston, NH
Horgan was hiking the Bolles Trail in Albany with his sons when they became separated about 4 miles from the trailhead in an area with no cell service. His sons sent emergency texts to 911; conservation officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue located Horgan about a half-mile up the trail, and he hiked out with rescuers.
·No specific peak·Lonesome Lake Trail
RescueFall
26-year-old female from Keene, NH
On May 21, 2026, Rebecca Raimo Ruiz, 26, of Keene, NH slipped while descending the Lonesome Lake Trail in Lincoln and sustained a lower leg injury, leaving her unable to hike out. Volunteers from the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team carried her out to the trailhead, arriving at 8:10 p.m. She was transported to Littleton Regional Hospital for further treatment.
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.
No headlampInadequate clothingNovice in winter terrain
·Mount Liberty·Franconia Ridge Trail / Liberty Springs Trail
RescueLost
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.
On April 24, 2026, Peter Frayley, 60, fell from a platform on the Iron Mountain fire tower after a loose board gave way, resulting in a fractured ankle. He was unable to walk and 911 was called. Rescuers from NHFG, LRSAR, and AVSAR carried him out in a rescue litter to the trailhead, where he was transported to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.
·No specific peak·Rocky Branch Trail
RescueLost
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.
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.
Vaughn Webb, 18, and Khang Nguyen, 17, both of Plymouth, MA
On the evening of April 18, 2026, two young hikers were stranded on the summit of Mt. Washington in wind-driven precipitation and cold temperatures, with one experiencing significant leg pain of unknown cause. A Mt. Washington State Park employee located them and brought them inside the State Park building, where first aid was rendered. A Conservation Officer then transported them down the Auto Road, with all parties safely off the mountain by 10:00 p.m.
Ignored forecastInadequate clothing
·Franconia Ridge·Falling Waters Trail
RescueNavigation error
Three hikers from Haverhill, MA
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.
On March 30, 2026, snowboarder Ethan Haust, 36, caught his edge and collided with a tree while navigating a steep, rocky out-of-bounds section at Cannon Mountain Ski Area, resulting in a serious injury. His group was unable to evacuate him due to the terrain severity and called ski patrol for assistance. Conservation Officers and Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team used ropes to extricate Haust and transported him to a hospital.
23-year-old male from Furguson, Missouri, hiking with his wife
On March 27, 2026, Garrett Majobian, 23, slipped on ice near the summit of Mt. Major and sustained a debilitating shoulder injury. His wife called 911 and rescuers from Fish and Game, Gilford and Alton Fire Departments, and LRSAR responded. Garrett was assisted to a UTV and transported to the trailhead, then taken to a hospital by ambulance.
Lesson
Hikers should be prepared to encounter ice, snow, and low temperatures in winter conditions; traction devices and additional warm clothing should always be carried when venturing outdoors in remote locations.
Casey Cullinan, 30, of Warwick, RI, and William Becker, 30, of Hope Valley, RI
Two hikers became stranded near the top of the Flume Slide on March 19, 2026, due to extremely icy trail conditions that prevented them from ascending or descending. They had micro spikes but not crampons, and had already spent one night camping. Mountain Rescue Service and Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team used ropes, crampons, and harnesses to lower the hikers to safety, returning to the trailhead at 11:10 p.m.
Lesson
With warmer temperatures and snow melting, crossing brooks and streams might not be possible; hikers should be equipped with appropriate traction devices such as crampons for icy conditions.
Inadequate traction
·No specific peak·Lowe's Path
RescueFall
54-year-old male hiker from Merrimack, NH
On March 15, 2026, Brian Stevens, 54, of Merrimack, NH, suffered a lower leg injury on Lowe's Path while descending with a group of four, rendering him unable to bear weight. He was located approximately 700 feet uphill from the Log Cabin Shelter and 2.5 miles from the trailhead. Conservation Officers, AVSAR volunteers, and a Randolph Mountain Club caretaker responded, carrying Stevens out in a litter and arriving roadside at 7:30 p.m.
Lesson
NH Fish and Game reminded hikers that trails are packed with snow and ice and are very slippery, and that proper footwear including micro spikes and, at higher elevations, crampons are essential to prevent slipping.
Inadequate traction
·No specific peak·Sabbaday Falls Trail
RescueFall
76-year-old female hiker from Bridgewater, MA
On March 14, 2026, Martha Murray, 76, slipped and injured her ankle while hiking down the Sabbaday Falls Trail. She was unable to bear weight on the injured ankle and a member of her group hiked out to call for assistance. Conservation Officers and Conway Fire and Rescue reached her via snowmachine and transported her to the trailhead, where she was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.
·No specific peak·Lonesome Lake Trail
RescueFall
72-year-old male hiker from Clinton, Massachusetts
On February 22, 2026, Steven Gabis, age 72, slipped on ice near the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut at approximately 8:00 a.m., injuring his leg and rendering him unable to hike out. AMC staff stabilized him until a Conservation Officer and eight Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team volunteers arrived and transported him by rescue sled to the Lafayette Campground trailhead by 12:20 p.m.
Lesson
New Hampshire Fish and Game urges hikers to be prepared and use caution while hiking; with deep snow and icy trail conditions, traction devices and snowshoes are a necessity.
Inadequate traction
·No specific peak·Zealand Trail
RescueMedical
Yuval Shohet, 75, of Acton, Massachusetts
On the night of February 21, 2026, Yuval Shohet, 75, began suffering from an unknown medical emergency while staying at the AMC Zealand Hut after hiking in that afternoon. AMC hut staff called for help when his condition worsened overnight. He was assisted 2.2 miles down the trail by his companions, met by a Conservation Officer on snowmobile, and transported to Littleton Regional Hospital.
15-year-old male from Connecticut, hiking with a Boy Scout group
A 15-year-old experienced a significant allergic reaction near the summit buildings after hiking to the summit. His Boy Scout group rendered first aid and alerted a Mount Washington State Park employee, who got him into a warm building; Fish and Game coordinated evacuation with State Parks and Gorham EMS.
Three brothers, ages 27, 25, and 21, from Falmouth MA, Davis CA, and Santa Fe NM respectively
On February 15, 2026, three brothers reached the Mt. Webster ridge and had difficulty descending the trail in winter conditions, calling for help around 8:00 p.m. when approximately 2.5 miles from the nearest trailhead. Friends who had been climbing elsewhere in Crawford Notch saw their headlamps and hiked up to assist them. The group self-rescued and were met by a Conservation Officer at the trailhead shortly after 10:30 p.m.
·No specific peak·Avalanche Brook Trail
RescueMedical
Male Nordic skier, age 63, from Medford, MA
On February 9, 2026, a group of Nordic skiers started at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center intending to ski south to Rocky Branch parking lot. Approximately halfway along the route, Mark Rossi, 63, of Medford, MA, suffered a leg injury that prevented him from continuing. Conservation Officers and AVSAR volunteers responded, ultimately carrying Rossi out via off-trail steep terrain to Route 16, arriving at 5:15 p.m.
·No specific peak·Diana's Bath Trail
RescueMedical
25-year-old female from Boston, Massachusetts
Srujana Niranjankumar, age 25, became extremely exhausted approximately 1 mile from the Diana's Bath Trailhead in Bartlett, NH and could not continue hiking back with her group. Conservation Officers were called at approximately 4:50 p.m. on January 31, 2026, and located her at the scene. She was assisted back to the trailhead parking lot, arriving at 6:30 p.m.
Hillary Reid, 46, slipped and fell on icy rocks on the Chippewa Trail on Black Mountain, sustaining an injury. After attempting to continue, she and her partner called for help. Conservation Officers and Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team volunteers carried her down steep, icy terrain to the trailhead, where she was transported to Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, NH.
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·Davis Path
RescueLost
67-year-old female hiker from Westerly, RI
On November 25, 2025, Katherine Rosen, 67, became separated from her sister on the Davis Path in Harts Location after turning back early from a short walk. She lost the trail and ended up several hundred yards downstream of the parking area on the opposite bank of the Saco River. Conservation Officers located her by following her calls for help and walked her out uninjured by shortly before 8:00 p.m.
No headlamp
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