On June 7 New Hampshire Fish and Game received a 911 call regarding an injured hiker on the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail on Mount Washington. The hiker, identified as Kathleen M. Maguire, 56, of Antrim, had injured her ankle and couldn’t go on.
Members of the NH chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club hiked down the trail to Maguire from the AMC Lake in the Clouds hut to her location approximately two-tenths of a mile below the hut. They splinted and helped her get to the hut arriving approximately 4:30 p.m. A medical helicopter was called in order to transport her out but was unable to fly due to weather conditions.
Based on the medical assessment and Maguire it was determined that she would stay overnight at the hut and see what the weather was in the morning. On June 8 it was again determined that the weather was no better and temperatures were going to drop and winds increase to 60 mph.
New Hampshire Fish Game Conservations Officers, Rescuers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, AMC, Mount Washington State Park, Mount Washington Observatory and a class from SOLO Wilderness Medicine located in Conway responded to this rescue. A state park van and other vehicles were used to take rescuers up the top of the mountain where they hiked 1.5 miles down to the Lake in the Clouds hut using the Crawford Path, where they put Maguire in a litter and carried her up to the top of Mt. Washington arriving at approximately 2:30 p.m.
She was then transported by private vehicle down the Mount Washington Auto Road to an ambulance were she signed off on any additional medical care. She planned on seeking medical attention in the Concord area.
Weather conditions in and around the summit of Mount Washington were extreme during this rescue. Hurricane force winds blew, temperatures were in the low 30s and dropping, and visibility was 10 to 20 feet at times.
About Fish & Game Funding, and the Rising Cost of Rescues
According to the most recent statistics available on the NH Fish & Game website, over the three years from 2010 to 2012, Fish and Game’s expenditures for conducting search and rescue missions averaged approximately $360,000 annually, exceeding annual revenues by more than $200,000.
Between 2006-2012 the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department conducted approximately 957 search and rescue missions, at an approximate cost of $1.8 million. Search and Rescue efforts are not funded by tax dollars, but are supported by a $1 fee added to every boat, OHRV, and ATV registration, which goes to the Search and Rescue Fund. Any costs above and beyond what the boat and OHRV fees bring into Fish and Game each year must be covered with revenue from the Fish and Game Fund.
In 2008, a law was passed authorizing Fish and Game to request reimbursement from negligent hikers. If a person’s behavior is determined to be negligent and, as a result of their negligent actions, a search mission was initiated, they may be asked to reimburse the Department for the costs of the mission. While this change in the law has helped Fish and Game recoup some costs, it falls far short of supporting the search and rescue program.
Proceeds from the purchase of a voluntary Hike Safe Card support NH Fish & Game search and rescue missions. Cards are $25 per person and $35 per family. People who obtain the cards are not liable to repay rescue costs if they need to be rescued due to negligence on their part. The card is valuable for anyone hiking, paddling, cross country skiing or engaging in other outdoor recreation. Learn more here.
