The harsh weather on Mount Washington, New Hampshire, often catches even the most experienced hikers off guard. Recently, two seasoned hikers found themselves trapped in waist-deep snow as they trekked through whiteout conditions, fighting against freezing temperatures and snowstorms. Their daring rescue underlined the unpredictability and danger of New Hampshire’s tallest peak, known for its severe weather changes.
On Sunday, Kathryn McKee, 51, and Beata LeLacheur, 54, both from Massachusetts, set out for their descent after hiking through the White Mountains. Despite their experience, the two found themselves an hour behind schedule and losing daylight as they made their way down. The temperature dropped, the wind howled, and the snow began to build rapidly, turning their hike into a life-threatening situation.
The Challenge of Snow and Wind
Amy Cotter, a weather observer from Mount Washington Observatory, explains how quickly the weather conditions can deteriorate. “That snow has nothing to stick to,” she says. “It gets whipped up very easily, making it almost impossible to navigate.”
Things took a turn for the worse when one of McKee’s snowshoes became caught in a “spruce trap,” a dangerous snow-filled hole created by the trees. After struggling for 20 minutes to free herself, McKee and LeLacheur found themselves crawling on their bellies, fighting the deep snow as they tried to move forward.
After an hour of failed attempts to rescue themselves, the two called 911, desperate for help. They were just 34 feet away from the trail, but the wind and snow had completely erased it from sight. Sergeant Matthew Holmes of the Fish and Game Department remarked, “They ended up on the trail several times, but could not follow it as it had been completely erased by wind and snow.”
The Struggle for Survival
As temperatures plunged to 2 degrees below zero, with winds gusting up to 60 mph, McKee and LeLacheur realized they would need to huddle together for warmth. They wrapped themselves in emergency blankets and kept their focus on survival.
“We couldn’t open our first aid kit because my hands were frozen,” McKee said. “I was terrified. You’re thinking, ‘Am I going to survive this?’ But you have to push those thoughts away and focus on survival.”
By midnight, a rescue snowcat carrying nine rescuers began its trek to the mountain’s summit, a slow and difficult journey through the treacherous conditions. The team reached the hikers’ last known location at 1:20 a.m. but failed to make contact immediately.
The Final Rescue
After hours of searching, the rescue team found McKee and LeLacheur suffering from frostbite, especially in their hands. However, their lives were saved thanks to the quick-thinking and perseverance of the rescue team. They were given emergency shelters, and by 3 a.m., they were able to move under their own power.
Both hikers had the necessary gear for a winter hike and were experienced, but the brutal wind, snow, and unexpected loss of the trail proved too much to handle. They now understand the risks of hiking in such extreme conditions and are grateful for the team that came to their aid.
“We feel awful about having to make that 911 call, but it saved our lives,” McKee said. Both women expressed a renewed commitment to hiking, with plans to add a small tent to their gear for future hikes. “We’re going to do it as safely as we can,” McKee said, “but we know there are risks.”
Their story is a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong on Mount Washington. In an area known for its severe weather conditions, preparation is key – but so is knowing when to ask for help.
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