2 Hikers Found Alive After Being Stuck in Snow Overnight. Getting Them Warm Enough to 'Move on Their Own' Took an Hour

Mar. 15, 2025

New Hampshire Fish and Game on Sunday, Feb. 2 on Mount Washington.Photo:New Hampshire Fish and Game

New Hampshire Fish and Game

Two hikers sustained cold weather injuries after they got stuck in the snow on a mountain in freezing conditions  — and the process of finding them took hours.

“What would happen is we were walking along and then we’d dip, and then you’re chest-high. And a couple times our snowshoes would get stuck on the spruce trees and you have no way of getting them out," McKee continued.

Stock photo of Mount Washington.DenisTangneyJr/Getty

DenisTangneyJr/Getty

“I lost functionality in my fingers," McKee added. “I couldn’t feel and I couldn’t use them. I couldn’t open the Ziploc bag to get an emergency blanket out.”

Around 6 p.m., they called 911, and the New Hampshire Fish and Game was alerted about the stranded hikers, per the agency’snews release. Once on the phone with the NH Fish and Game, officials determined the lost hikers were only 34 feet from the trail and attempted to help them get back on the path.

Finally, it was determined that they needed assistance, so the two hikers were instructed to “huddle up in the snow to keep warm” until help arrived.

Storm clouds moving over the summit of Mount Washington and Tuckerman Ravine.Joe Klementovich/Getty

Joe Klementovich/Getty

The crews then went to the hikers' last known location, but their progress was slow “due to the tremendous effort required to break trail in the deep snow.” Finally, thirty minutes later, the women were located “alive and coherent.”

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Although this story ended up having a happy ending, officials went on to issue a warning.

“Both hikers were prepared and had winter hiking experience, but ultimately encountered unforeseen conditions. Had they not had the amount of gear with them that they did, it is unlikely that they would have survived until rescuers reached them,” NH Fish and Game wrote. “Although technology and experience is certainly helping to find people more quickly, the fact remains that Mother Nature has the final say, and preparedness, above all, is the difference between life and death in the mountains of New Hampshire.”

source: people.com