Crime & Safety
Two Hikers Suffering Hypothermia In Franconia Rescued Sunday Morning
Hikers from Hanover and South Hadley, Mass., were well prepared but fell into Lincoln Brook and made contact, setting off the rescue.
FRANCONIA, NH — Conservation officers with New Hampshire Fish and Game were notified of two hikers suffering hypothermia on the Lincoln Brook Trail in Franconia on Sunday.
The two hikers had reported to staff with Dartmouth Outdoor Programs via a Garmin InReach device that they had fallen into Lincoln Brook, getting their clothing wet at about 7 p.m.
Shortly after that, a rescue request was made. Coordinates put the pair 8.5 miles from the trailhead. No communication was received from the hikers after the initial contact.
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At 2:30 a.m. two conservation officers reached the hikers who had taken shelter in a tent and were inside sleeping bags. Dry clothing was provided to the two hikers and by 3:30 a.m. they were able to start making their way back to the trailhead, where they arrived at 7:15 a.m.
Conservation Officers identified the hikers as brothers and sisters Xander Dalke, 20, of Hanover, and Aylen Dalke, 18, of South Hadley, Massachusetts.
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The hikers explained that they had planned a two-day hike around Owl’s Head. They had departed around 7 a.m. on Saturday from Lincoln Woods, intending to spend the night at Thirteen Falls. After falling into Lincoln Brook, they changed into dry clothing. Unfortunately, they fell in the brook again, soaking their remaining clothing.
They set up camp 2.5 miles short of their destination, hoping to warm themselves. Once they stopped hiking and set up the tent site, the early stages of hypothermia set in.
Knowing temperatures would be dropping overnight, they made some notifications on the Garmin InReach device to Dartmouth Outdoor Programs Staff. After making notifications, they turned off the device to conserve batteries, which prevented them from getting updates on their condition as cell service is nonexistent in the area.
Conservation Officers say the two were well-prepared with equipment. Winter conditions have arrived in the mountains, and hikers are encouraged to be prepared for their trek by packing the ten essential items: a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants, and a knife. For additional information, please visit www.hikeSafe.com.
