New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers rescued two hikers from Mount Monadnock late Dec. 19 after they fell into a brook and suffered cold-related injuries on the Ferry Spring Trail.
At about 10 p.m. Friday, officers were notified by New Hampshire State Police dispatch that three hikers were in distress. Cellphone contact revealed that one hiker was attempting to assist two others who were wet, freezing and unable to continue. High winds, dropping temperatures and soaked clothing created life-threatening conditions.
Conservation Officers, assisted by volunteers with the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, responded to the scene. The two hikers in distress were identified as Shawn Paelian and Brendan Girouard, both 18, of Winchendon, Massachusetts. Authorities said the pair were hiking without food, water, warm clothing, spare clothes or appropriate cold-weather gear.
Rescuers reached the hikers about 11 p.m. Paelian was able to walk down the mountain with assistance and was transported to a vehicle to warm up. Girouard was unable to move and showed signs of cold-weather injuries. Crews removed his frozen clothing and began warming measures.
Authorities also determined the pair began hiking at about 5:30 p.m., after dark, and that Girouard was heavily intoxicated.
By about 2 a.m. Dec. 20, Girouard was stable enough to be assisted to an awaiting Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance and was transported to Heywood Hospital in Massachusetts. He was charged with minor in possession of alcohol. Officials said it will be recommended that the pair be billed for the cost of the rescue.
New Hampshire Fish and Game said the incident was preventable and placed rescuers at unnecessary risk. Hikers are urged to follow the Hiker Responsibility Code as outlined by the state’s hikeSafe program.