Spring hiking in New Hampshire's White Mountains can pose greater risks than winter treks, officials say, as warm valley temperatures often mask treacherous conditions above 3,000 feet. The Mount Washington Observatory forecasts 2 to 4 inches of snow on the summit this weekend, with wind chills near freezing.
"Seeing snow at this time of year is not unusual, but it can catch a lot of people off guard," said Ryan Haas, a weather observer at the observatory.
Over the past month, seven Massachusetts hikers required rescue in the White Mountains, and one man died after a two-day search. Kent Wood, 61, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, was found dead on April 21 on the Kinsman Pond trail in Lincoln after setting out in clear weather; 3 to 5 inches of snow fell over the following days.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Lieutenant Mark Ober noted that some hikers underestimate the difficulty. "It is such a different world up there," Ober said. He urged hikers to check summit forecasts, carry essential gear including a map, compass, warm clothing, headlamp, and rain gear, and be prepared to turn back.
Originally reported by Union Leader.
Photo: King of Hearts (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0). Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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