New Hampshire officials are warning hikers to take a friend with them if they plan on spending time in the mountains this winter.
Fish and Game Lt. Kevin Jordan says hiking alone is dangerous any time of year but especially so during the winter.
Jordan helped coordinate Saturday’s rescue of 28-year-old Benjamin Davis of Boston who got lost in Franconia Notch.
Davis spent Friday night on Mount Lafayette in his tent, but sent a text message to his girlfriend Saturday afternoon saying he was lost. He was found around 5:30 p.m. and rescued by a National Guardsman who was lowered from a helicopter in windy conditions and deep snow.
Davis had planned to hike the same 9-mile loop where two other men got lost the week before. He had a tent and sleeping bag with him, but Jordan told The Boston Globe that he lacked snowshoes, waterproof boots, a global positioning system, a map and a compass. Jordan said Davis also was unaware of severe weather conditions above the treeline.