Fish and game conservation officers rescued four hikers who lost their way on the Wapack Trail on Temple Mountain Tuesday evening.
Desirae Gramatikas, 22 of Wilton, Michael McCarthy Jr., 36 of Hudson, Ceilidh Mckillop, 21 of Milford, and Marion Chadwick, 24 of Mont Vernon, began hiking at 5:30 p.m., and were quickly overcome by darkness, according to officials.
William Boudreau, a conservation officer for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, said sunset occurred at 6:07 p.m. Tuesday, which only left a small window of daylight for the hikers after they departed.
Boudreau said the group only brought one flashlight, were not dressed appropriately for temperatures that reached the low 40s, and one suffered a minor leg injury while on the trail.
“They were pretty nervous about being in the woods after dark,” said Boudreau. “They weren’t prepared at all, it was getting cold, the injury was slowing them down, and the light from their cellular devices wasn’t strong enough to see.”
New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation officers were notified about the hikers at 7:30 p.m., after the group requested 911 assistance.
Based on GPS coordinates, conservation officers were able to provide the hikers with directions on how to ascend the mountain. Officials met the group at the top of Temple Mountain and transported the group back to their vehicle.
In a news release conservation officers remind anyone who ventures outdoors to leave ample time to hike, carry essential equipment, pack extra layers and to be aware of individual physical limitations.
“Unfortunately this type of thing happens way too often,” Boudreau said.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.