Hiker’s Unpreparedness Leads to White Mountains Rescue
A Massachusetts man’s hiking trip in New hampshire’s White Mountains turned precarious Saturday, highlighting the critical importance of preparedness in unpredictable mountain conditions. richard De Reyna, 57, of Westwood, Massachusetts, embarked on a trek wiht aspiring goals, but unexpected deep snow and equipment malfunctions led to a rescue operation.
The Hike Gone Wrong
De Reyna began his hike around 8 a.m. from the York Pond Trailhead off York Pond Road in Berlin. His plan involved summiting Mt. Weeks, Middle Weeks, and Mt.Weeks — south Peak, before returning along the same route. However, upon reaching Kilkenny Ridge Trail, he encountered unforeseen challenges.
The deep snow conditions were more severe than anticipated, causing De Reyna to repeatedly lose the trail. While he initially managed to navigate using a mapping program on his cell phone, this proved to be a double-edged sword.
The 911 Call and Rescue Efforts
By 3:45 p.m., with his cell phone battery dwindling, De reyna placed a call to 911. He reported being wet, cold and did not have a light source or other essential gear.
This call triggered a coordinated response from local authorities.
A Conservation Officer attempted to call De Reyna back to guide him towards self-rescue, but the effort was thwarted when his phone battery died. This underscores the importance of preserving battery life in emergency situations.
A team comprising Androscoggin Valley search and Rescue and conservation officers initiated an off-trail hike up a drainage. They successfully located de Reyna at 9:19 p.m., precisely at the coordinates from which he made his initial 911 call, approximately 4.5 miles from the nearest road.
Treatment and Evacuation
Rescuers found De Reyna wet, cold and mildly hypothermic.
The team provided him with warm,dry clothing,warm liquids,and a light source. He then hiked 2.4 miles to an awaiting all-terrain vehicle (ATV),which transported him the remaining 2 miles to the staged vehicles. The rescue operation concluded at 1:45 a.m.
Experience vs. Preparedness
Despite having over 25 years of hiking experience, De Reyna’s ordeal highlights that experience alone is not enough. Officials emphasized that he was unaware of the snow conditions in the upper levels of the White Mountains and was not prepared for the conditions he faced.
The Ten Essentials
To prevent similar incidents, officials strongly advise hikers to always carry the ten essential items:
- Map
- Compass
- Warm clothing
- Extra food and water
- Headlamp
- Fire starter
- First aid kit
- Whistle
- Rain/wind jackets and pants
- Knife
Moreover, officials advise, In addition, it is indeed significant to turn your phone off or place it in airplane mode to ensure you have enough battery life remaining if you do require assistance.
