Missing Massachusetts Hiker located and safe

[bobandgeri]

Another successful search today. They do point out that although he was prepared, he was hiking solo and may not have been aware of the predicted snow storm.



MISSING MASSACHUSETTS HIKER LOCATED IN N.H.'S WHITE MOUNTAINS

CONCORD, N.H. -- A hiker missing since Sunday evening (February 22, 2009) was found about 2 p.m. this afternoon and is being escorted off Mt.Whiteface by N.H. Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers.*Brian McLaughlin, age 40, of Lowell, Massachusetts, had left Lowell on Saturday afternoon for New Hampshire, intending to hike the Ferncroft /Blueberry Ledge trails in the White Mountain National Forest.*He had planned to camp one night on the trail and complete the loop in time to get home by Sunday evening.*Apparently he was overcome by difficult weather conditions; the area was hit by more than a foot of snow and high winds late Sunday.*

When McLaughlin failed to return home as expected Sunday evening, his wife reported him missing to N.H. State Police.*N.H. Fish and Game was notified about 11 p.m.

McLaughlin's vehicle was located at 1 a.m. Monday, February 23, 2009, at the Ferncroft Trailhead, which is located in Wonalancet Village in Tamworth.*Early this morning, Fish and Game Conservation Officers began looking for McLaughlin in the vicinity of Mt. Passaconaway and Mt. Whiteface, searching Dicey's Mill Trail and the Blueberry Ledge Trail.

At 2 p.m. today, McLaughlin was located on the Blueberry Ledge Trail, about 2.7 miles from the trailhead.*He was able to walk out on his own, accompanied by two Conservation Officers, arriving at the trailhead at 3:42 p.m.

Fish and Game was assisted in the search effort by a N.H. Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, as well as the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, N.H. State Police Troop E and local police.

"We'll know more when we can interview him fully, but it appears that McLaughlin was overcome by severe weather conditions. He was hiking in an area that is not heavily used, so there were not other hikers around to help, and the snow-covered trails were not packed down," said Fish and Game Conservation Officer Sergeant Jim Juneau.

McLaughlin was equipped with snowshoes, a tent and overnight gear, and he had let someone back home know his plans. However, he did not follow two basic tenets of the hikeSafe code: McLaughlin was hiking alone, and he either failed to inquire about or didn't adequately account for the incoming snow conditions.*

The hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code (below) applies to all those enjoying New Hampshire's outdoors.*It says, you are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:

* With knowledge and gear. Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
* To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you'll return and your emergency plans.
* To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
* To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
* For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don't assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
* To share the hiker code with others.

For further information on being safe while hiking or hunting, visit http://www.hikesafe.com.

 

[bobandgeri]

Follow-up question for VFTT members from a luker who wrote to us wondering people thoughts on hiking alone.

The N.H. Fish and Game report seems to indicate an issue with hiking alone, but the Hiker Responsibility Code makes no mention to it. Thoughts?

 

[cooperhill]

I noticed that as well. The only thing that comes somewhat close is "To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person. " I still don't think that says that you can't hike alone. I certainly hope that he wouldn't be fined based on that factor.

 

[The-Green-Man]

Seems fishy to me! They are slowing adding more tenets to the hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code!

This seems a little TOO much like the pigs in Animal Farm changing the rules under the cover of darkness...

 

[rocket21]

The N.H. Fish and Game report seems to indicate an issue with hiking alone, but the Hiker Responsibility Code makes no mention to it. Thoughts?

Uh oh, I've hiked the Blueberry Ledges Trail alone 7 times in the last year and a half...lock me up!

Glad to hear he's okay...didn't know about this until you posted it, even though it's practically in my backyard! Had I known, I would have volunteered to join the search!

 

[vegematic]

That concerned me as well but two read-throughs of the code and I couldn't find anything that could be interpreted as "thou shalt not hike solo". The journalist was trying to stir the pot a little, maybe?
-vegematic

 

[DougPaul]

There is nothing in this report saying that this hiker was in trouble and/or in need of any help. It is quite possible that he was simply traveling slowly due to having to break the trail out. (It says
"He was able to walk out on his own, accompanied by two Conservation Officers", but does not say that he needed their help.)


Many officials/pontificators will try to tell you not to hike solo. I suspect that there is an inverse relation between the mountaineering competence of the official/pontificator and his tendency to give such advice...

Some officials also have a tendency to try to make a lesson out of any incident.

IMO, soloing is probably not a good idea for beginners, but is a reasonable option for the experienced.

IMO2: his biggest mistake might have been not bringing/using a cellphone to tell his wife that he was delayed. (Of course, it is possible that he had one but was unable to get a signal.) Seriously though, those waiting for hikers need to know that hikers can be delayed and there is no reason to call out the SAR folks when the hikers have not appeared at ETA + 1 minute.


Perhaps this conclusion will change with more information, but there is nothing in the report that leads me to conclude that this hiker did anything wrong or that he really needed any help.

Doug

 

[rocket21]

IMO2: his biggest mistake might have been not bringing/using a cellphone to tell his wife that he was delayed. (Of course, it is possible that he had one but was unable to get a signal.)

My POS Verizon cellphone only gets a strong enough signal to get a time reading in the Bowl area (I believe I get reception on Blueberry above Wiggin though, but no dice on Dicey Mill), so it's quite possible the hiker was unable to dial out or receive calls.

 

[B the Hiker]

>IMO, soloing is probably not a good idea for beginners, but is a reasonable option for the experienced.

One slip, a broken arm, can't set up a tent before the cold sets in... Thing about accidents is that (a) they happen; (b) when you don't want them to.

Are beginners more likely to have accidents? Yes. Will experienced people not have accidents? See (a) above.

The husband said he would be home at night. He wasn't. He didn't phone, we don't know why. His wife did the right thing by calling a rescue squad, because she didn't know why he didn't return home. If he fell at the base of the cliffs and was alive but in need of help, and she didn't phone, he could have died.

You hike with two people, and one falls, the other can provide care. You hike with three, and the third can go to get help.

I'm not saying people shouldn't hike alone, but we need to realistic that if someone gets in trouble, their ability to respond alone is far different than when with another person.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Many officials/pontificators will try to tell you not to hike solo. I suspect that there is an inverse relation between the mountaineering competence of the official/pontificator and his tendency to give such advice...

Some officials also have a tendency to try to make a lesson out of any incident.

IMO, soloing is probably not a good idea for beginners, but is a reasonable option for the experienced.

Yes to the above.

I really like to solo, and will continue doing so. I think it's a fine idea. Love it.

I'm a beginner, and I'm fine solo-ing Tecumseh (or Cannon, or the Hancocks, or the Willey Range, etc. etc. etc.). I have the gear to stay warm while still for a day or two. I have yet to be on a hike in the winter where I didn't run into at least 5 other people anyway.

Above treeline, well, that's a different story. However, once I gain years of experience I might feel differently. But by then I will no longer be a beginner...

FWIW, I think hiking in a big group can pose just as much danger (or more) than hiking solo. One may feel pressured to stop less often than one personally should, one might go into uncomfortable territory because everyone else is, etc. And if there's a problem, there are a multitude of voices trying to figure out what to do and perhaps no one bold enough to decide NOW.

 

[andrewb]

> One slip, a broken arm, can't set up a tent before the cold sets in... Thing about accidents is that (a) they happen; (b) when you don't want them to.

Are beginners more likely to have accidents? Yes. Will experienced people not have accidents? See (a) above.

....

You hike with two people, and one falls, the other can provide care. You hike with three, and the third can go to get help.

I'm not saying people shouldn't hike alone, but we need to realistic that if someone gets in trouble, their ability to respond alone is far different than when with another person.

B the Hiker: great, great points! Trish, I also think you have a good point about big groups: I don't like being in them. I personally prefer 3 people in a group but feel 2 is also a good number. I have never yet even considered soloing in winter or on a bushwhack, but feel fine when I do solo otherwise.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I think hiking in a big group can pose just as much danger (or more) than hiking solo. One may feel pressured to stop less often than one personally should

Or MORE often than one ordinarily would. The larger the group, the more frequent the stops. In winter, I dress for my hiking rhythm and I find myself quite uncomfortable when I have to wait 10 or 12 times in 3 hours... so I tend to avoid big groups.

he did not follow two basic tenets of the hikeSafe code: McLaughlin was hiking alone,

The hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code (below) applies to all those enjoying New Hampshire's outdoors.*It says, you are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:

* With knowledge and gear. Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.

The very first point says "Become self-reliant". That implies, does it not, that one should be able to hike alone, and that doing so is not against the code. It never says "Do no hike alone." I mean what if you're hiking in a group of 2 and need to go get help? Do you not do it because you're now a group of 1?!?

For large groups, I have no problem breaking up into smaller groups based on speed, or goals. Leaving in a group of 12 doesn't mean you must stay a group of 12. I realize you, the reader, may have a different opinion than me on this matter. I have been on trips where this was acceptable and mutually agreed upon, and then I have been on trips where it was "problematic." It helps to know who you're going with and if you're compatible.

Tim

 

[The Hikers]

There certainly are a lot of factors to weigh as to the wisdom of solo hiking.
I personally think that when you add in Winter sub freezing temperatures which could make all the difference in survival after an accidental fall, then the case for solo hiking doesn't seem as positive.

 

[TrishandAlex]

There certainly are a lot of factors to weigh as to the wisdom of solo hiking.
I personally think that when you add in Winter sub freezing temperatures which could make all the difference in survival after an accidental fall, then the case for solo hiking doesn't seem as positive.

That's why those who solo may want to carry a heck of a lot more than those who travel in groups. I know I can stay warm, dry and fed if I find myself in a position where I cannot move. The only way I would not be able to keep myself warm is if I was knocked unconscious. I feel the probability of that happening is very, very, very low.

 

[Mike P.]

Do I feel better solo hiking or perhaps bringing a 3 season hiker out for their first winter hike? (plently of spare gear)

I don't know what Brian's experience level is. Personally, I've done over 1/2 of my winter hikes solo & more than that in the other three seasons. Pierce, Ike, Madison & South Twin, I'd feel fine doing solo. (other than Madison, I did do them solo) for the middle Presidentials, Bonds & Franconia's I'd be real sure about the weather.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Also, if one wants to solo and yet feel not completely isolated, that's fairly easy. There are at least three meet-up groups who regularly hike the Whites. There are AMC groups who regularly hike the Whites. VFTT-ers and Rocks folks often post their hiking plans. One can easily discover in advance which trails are going to have a bunch of people on them and hike those trails that day, knowing that if something happened chances are very good someone is going to come along at some point. Not saying one should be any less careful out there, of course.

 

[Waumbek]

Criticizing solo hiking on VFTT is usually incendiary, like proposing gun control to the NRA, and there have been many, many threads that take the route of this one and make the same arguments in favor of soloing. Do a search.

To me the more pertinent question, the elephant in the room, that this search raises is weather conditions. Would you (did you) rethink your plans, solo or otherwise, based on the weather forecast? And should one do so? Or are forecasts simply educated guesses that shouldn't factor in to individual responsibility?

 

[Grayjay]

I think what happened is that he made one mistake and then inexperienced journalist have added others from their hike safe arsenal. His mistake as a solo hiker was not to be conscious of the upcoming weather. He may have decided to camp out a second night because of that, but obviously with someone waiting for him, that would get the rescue ball rolling. Heading out solo, you have a resonsibility to those who await your return, another reason to weigh all the necessary elements.

 

[pks4000]

Cell

Soloing can be very safe if you know your own ability,have studied the route and are reasonably self sufficient.

Aways file a trip plan including route and a drop dead call in time.

If you change the route call it in to your contact person No cell signal? see below

My Golden Rule: Carry what you will need to survive in conditions one can reasonably expect for 24 hours."
Reason: You have to make it overnight as SAR most likely wont come out til daybreaks.

From my wilderness wandering daughter in Colorado:
"Daddy.
If there is no cell signal or weak one, dont try to call repeadtedly send a text message which requires little sustained signal strenth and may hook up as you walk about particularly up higher.

Cell signals have 35 mile "line of sight" acquisition capabilty in most good atmospheric conditions.

There is a good Verizon signal on Passaconaway Whitface.

Maybe this solist was hiding from watching the Oscars with his wife?

 

[rocket21]

Cell signals have 35 mile "line of sight" acquisition capabilty in most good atmospheric conditions.

There is a good Verizon signal on Passaconaway Whitface.

Go figure! I tried starting on Dicey two weeks ago in good weather, halfway between the near-summit view point and the Rollins junction, and then continuing down from there to the water crossing, and I believe one more time when I neared the roadwalk. I'd get two bars, but they'd go away the minute I'd try to dial. I don't know where that emo guy and all of his friends were, but they certainly weren't hanging out with me.