Orient Man Dies Tragically on New Hampshire Hiking Trail: Police

“Live like you mean it.”

The words, written on his Northeast Mountain Guides page, took on heartbreaking meaning Tuesday as word spread across the North Fork that Tim Hallock of Hallock’s Marine Services in Orient and president of the New York State Outdoor Guides Association, died while hiking in New Hampshire.

According to Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, “We were requested on yesterday morning, February 29, by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Service to make notification for next of kin of Mr. Hallock to his family in Orient. Officers went to two family owned houses in Orient, and after a few attempts, were able to notify next of kin for New Hampshire.”

A post in the Berlin Daily Sun said that Hallock, 54, had been found dead “on the Castle Ravine Trail close to the tree line between Mt. Adams and Mt. Jefferson Sunday morning. . . ”

An autopsy will be performed to discover the cause of his death, the article says.

“Two hikers discovered Hallock’s frozen body laying on the trail at about 8:45 a.m. and could find no pulse. After attempting unsuccessfully to make a 911 cell phone call for help, the hikers continued to down the Castle Ravine Trail until about a mile from the trailhead where they met a hiker headed up the trail. The pair used the third hiker’s cell phone to make a 911 call at 11:22,” the article said.

Hallock was the founder and owner of Northeast Mountain Guides in Orient, was a hiking instructor, and spent his life on the sea and climbing to new heights, according to his Facebook page.

According to the Northeast Mountain Guides page, Hallock also sat on the board of directors, was a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club, National Parks Conservation Association, and was a member of the NYSOGA’s trail maintenance crew.

The page said that Hallock, whose trail name was “Yeti,” worked with each guide in a rigorous training program.

Hallock was a graduate of the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York; licensed as a Ships Officer of any tonnage on all Oceans, Tim has logged more than a million miles at sea, the page stated.

“In 1998 Tim discovered the allure of the mountains. He found that the similarities run deep between the two pursuits. In moving vessels at sea, it’s necessary to pay great attention to details and logistics ... the particulars of the vessel, the waters, the weather. Every consideration for safety must be taken. The ability to implement backup plans has to be second nature. Nothing can be left to chance. The same is true in the mountains. Great attention must be given to many issues of safety, water availability, personal ability levels, trail conditions, weather, provisioning, gear selection, and local regulations,” the Northeast Mountain Guides site said.

His Facebook page depicts a life filled with adventure on the sea and filled with exuberance for the natural environment; countless photos chronicle his journeys to new destinations.

Patch courtesy photo.