New Hampshire Fish and Game responded to two separate rescue incidents on Mount Monadnock over the weekend, aiding hikers who became injured or lost in late-November conditions.

Injury on White Cross Trail — Saturday, Nov. 22

A Rhode Island woman was carried off Mount Monadnock on Saturday afternoon after injuring her lower leg on the White Cross Trail, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

At about 3:16 p.m. Saturday, Conservation Officers were notified that Ericka Breedon, 41, of North Kingstown, R.I., had injured her lower leg while descending the White Cross Trail. Her boyfriend, Jaymes Smith, called 911 for assistance.

A Monadnock State Park mountain patrol ranger reached Breedon roughly a mile from the trailhead and splinted her ankle. Because she could not bear weight, rescuers from Fish and Game, the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, state park staff, and several passing hikers carried her down in a litter, reaching the trailhead around 6:30 p.m. Breedon declined an ambulance and left with Smith to seek medical care. Officials noted the pair were experienced and appeared well-prepared for their hike.

Lost Hikers — Sunday, Nov. 23

The following afternoon at approximately 4:15 p.m., Conservation Officers received a 911 call from two hikers who had become lost off the Red Spot Trail, about 1,000 feet below the summit. Using mapping software sent to their phones, an officer attempted to guide them back to the trail, but the pair — relying only on cell phone lights and not dressed for snowy, freezing conditions — struggled to descend as daylight faded and their phone batteries drained.

Rescuers reached the hikers, identified as Devin Machado, 23, and Alexandra Castro, 21, of Somerset, Mass., at 6:40 p.m. Officers provided headlamps, warm gear, micro-spikes and fluids before escorting them safely to Park Headquarters on Poole Road in Jaffrey, arriving at 7:25 p.m.

Search-and-Rescue Reminder

Fish and Game, a primarily self-funded agency, encourages hikers to carry the 10 essential items and to support search-and-rescue efforts by purchasing a Hike Safe Card. Information is available at hikesafe.com.