The body of a missing hiker was recovered over the weekend in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, according to authorities, who said the man died after “a significant fall in icy terrain.” The missing man was located at about 2,800 feet in elevation, according to the state Fish and Game Department. Photo courtesy of Samuel Banas, U.S. Geological Survey
Nov. 25 (UPI) — The body of a missing hiker was recovered over the weekend in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, according to authorities, who said the man died after “a significant fall in icy terrain.”
The body of Christopher Huyler, 44, was located in Franconia Notch State Park early Saturday, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department announced Monday.
“Just prior to 1:00 a.m. EST, while ascending the edges of a steep iced-over slide, the body of the missing man was located at around 2,800 feet in elevation,” the department said in a statement.
“It was apparent that the man had suffered a significant fall in the icy terrain,” the department added. “He was wearing micro spikes and was well equipped for a hike.”
Huyler, who is from Littleton, died Friday during the hike near state-run Cannon Mountain through the Coppermine Brook Valley to check off-trail conditions before the ski season. He told his family he was heading back at 4 p.m. When he did not return, his wife called for help. Huyler’s car was found still parked in Franconia.
Cannon Mountain is a historic ski resort that is scheduled to open for the season on Friday, as 8 inches of new snow fell over the weekend and temperatures dropped into the mid-30s.
“Winter conditions have arrived in the mountains and hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek,” the Fish and Game Department warned.
Nearly two dozen rescuers helped carry the hiker’s body more than 3 miles off the mountain. The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy.
Last week, the body of a Massachusetts woman was found on New Hampshire’s Mount Lafayette, which is at the northern end of the Franconia Range in the White Mountains, after she also failed to return from a solo hike.
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Three people were killed Sunday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on an Interstate 93 off-ramp in Salem, New Hampshire, officials said.
Troopers responded to a reported crash on the Exit 2 off-ramp just after 2 p.m., New Hampshire State Police said in a news release. A preliminary investigation determined a 2012 white Kia Sportage was traveling south on the off-ramp when it veered off the road, traveled through a grassy area, and struck a culvert, according to police.
The SUV’s driver, 71-year-old Rodney J. Dore, of Pelham, and two passengers — Anne J. Dore, 70, of Pelham, and Lisana M. Alexander, 45, of Salem — were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Part of the off-ramp was temporarily shut down while troopers investigated, according to the release. Officials did not share any details on what might have caused the fatal crash.
New Hampshire State Police encouraged anyone with information that could help the investigation to contact Trooper Mark Lingerman at 603-223-4381 or [email protected].
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A pair of siblings suffering from the early stages of hypothermia was rescued from the Lincoln Brook Trail in Franconia, N.H., early Sunday after they fell into the brook twice, soaking two sets of clothes amid near-freezing temperatures, officials said.
Xander Dalke, 20, of Hanover, N.H., and Aylen Dalke, 18, of South Hadley, Mass., had begun a planned two-day hike around Owl’s Head Mountain about 7 a.m., but their plans were disrupted when the pair fell into Lincoln Brook, according to a statement released by New Hampshire Fish and Game.
The siblings changed into dry clothing, but later fell into the water a second time, soaking their remaining clothes, according to the statement. Temperatures in Franconia were nearly freezing at the time, according to the National Weather Service.
After falling into the water, the hikers decided to make camp and attempt to warm themselves, but upon setting up a tent, they began experiencing the early stages of hypothermia, according to the statement. Both hikers came well equipped, and used a satellite messaging device to contact Dartmouth Outdoor Programs despite not having cellular phone service.
Coordinates from the device showed the pair was located more than 8 miles from the trailhead, according to the statement.
Conservation officers were notified of the rescue request around 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the statement. Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, two conservation officers reached the tent site and found the Dalke siblings inside sleeping bags. The siblings were given dry clothing, and around 3:30 a.m. they began hiking back to the trailhead, where they arrived around 7:15 a.m.
No further injuries were reported. Officials did not specify whether the pair required medical attention.
Conservation officers encourage any prospective hikers to expect wintry conditions and to prepare for hikes with essential equipment, including “a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets & pants, and a knife,” according to the statement.
Collin Robisheaux can be reached at collin.robisheaux@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @ColRobisheaux.
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