Four 18-year-old hikers from New Jersey are expected to be billed for the cost of an overnight rescue on Franconia Ridge. New Hampshire Fish and Game officials shared that the group set out late in the day without adequate food, water, lighting, or clothing for the conditions.
Jainam Bhavsar, Purva Jayani, Tirth Shah, and Advik Yadav, all from Edison, New Jersey, began their hike at approximately 3:30 p.m. Friday. The Franconia Ridge hike they attempted typically takes between seven and nine hours to complete, according to Fish and Game.
Shortly before 9 p.m., New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified that four hikers were stuck on the ridge. According to New Hampshire Public Radio, one member of the group was reportedly experiencing sore legs and difficulty breathing.
With strong winds and cold temperatures at higher elevations, volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team were called to assist.
Rescuers Hiked More Than Four Miles to Reach Group
The rescue team began ascending the trail at approximately 10:35 p.m., hiking more than four miles to Franconia Ridge before continuing to Mount Lincoln, which has an elevation of 5,089 feet.
Rescuers located the four hikers at approximately 1:15 a.m. Saturday.
According to Fish and Game, the group did not have headlamps or enough food and water to complete the hike and was not properly dressed for the conditions.
Rescuers provided the hikers with lights, food, water, and warm clothing before guiding them toward the 5,249-foot summit of Mount Lafayette. From there, the group descended the Old Bridle Path toward Franconia Notch.
The hikers and rescue team reached the trailhead at approximately 9:07 a.m., more than nine hours after rescuers began their ascent.
Hikers Say Darkness and Cold Became a Problem
The hikers later told NBC New York that three members of the group had trained at the gym in preparation for the strenuous nine-mile hike, while the fourth had not. That hiker reportedly began experiencing cramps and required frequent breaks as the group climbed to higher elevations.
The group had started its hike less than four and a half hours before sunset.
As darkness set in and wind chill temperatures dropped below freezing, the hikers called 911 for assistance.
“You should start really early so it’s not dark when you go down. And you shouldn’t be overconfident,” Shah told NBC New York following the rescue.
Yadav also expressed gratitude for the rescuers who responded and helped the group safely descend the mountain.
The hiker who experienced difficulty breathing and walking was reportedly doing well after returning home and did not require medical treatment.
Fish and Game Plans to Charge Hikers for Rescue
New Hampshire Fish and Game said the hikers’ lack of preparation led the department to pursue reimbursement for the cost of the rescue.
The final amount has not been announced. NBC New York reported that the cost is likely to exceed $1,000.
Under New Hampshire law, the state can seek reimbursement for search and rescue expenses when a person’s actions are determined to have been reckless or negligent. Fish and Game has previously billed hikers and other outdoor recreationists when officials concluded that inadequate preparation contributed to the need for a rescue.
Following the Franconia Ridge incident, the department reminded hikers to prepare for changing conditions in the White Mountains.
Late summer can bring shorter daylight hours and increasingly cool temperatures, particularly at higher elevations. Conditions on exposed ridgelines can also differ significantly from those at trailheads and lower elevations.
Hikers are encouraged to plan their routes and expected hiking times in advance, check weather conditions, carry adequate food and water, bring headlamps or other lighting, and pack clothing appropriate for colder temperatures.
The rescue also serves as a reminder that even experienced or physically fit hikers can encounter problems when a trip takes longer than expected, particularly on strenuous routes in the White Mountains.
