Boston Woman Carried 4 Miles After Injury On NH Hiking Trail

FRANCONIA, NH — A Boston woman was rescued from a hike on a New Hampshire trail Saturday afternoon after suffering an injury to her lower leg, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

The woman, identified as Anna Meier, 33, of Boston, had set off around 8 a.m. for a solo hike of the 9-mile Falling Waters/Old Bridle Path Loop, officials said.

But things began to go south after Meier slipped as she descended from Mount Lincoln towards Mount Lafayette and sustained a leg injury. Then, temperatures dropped to the 30s and winds gusted, causing her trouble as she continued toward the trailhead.

Passing hikers called 911 for Meier around 1:45 p.m. as she was having spotty service. At the time, Meier was between Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette on the Franconia Ridge Trail, 4.2 miles from the trailhead.

"She initially tried to hobble along the trail but soon realized that she would not be able to continue and complete" the trek to the trailhead, officials said.

Conservation officers and volunteers arrived at the Old Bridle Path Trailhead in Franconia Notch but had difficulty getting to the trailhead with traffic congestion on I-93 and their trek to the trail was delayed until after 3 p.m.

A crew of two was dispatched from AMC Greenleaf Hut just before 5 p.m., taking Meier to a "somewhat sheltered area" and placing her in a sleeping bag before the rescue team arrived around 6 p.m., officials said. By 6:20 p.m., the 4.2-mile carryout, involving around 25 rescuers, began.

They took a short break at Greenleaf Hut around 9:00 p.m. before finally arriving "without incident" at the trailhead at 1:20 a.m. Sunday.

Meier was transported from the trailhead by personal vehicle for evaluation of her injury.

For more information on hiking safety, New Hampshire Fish and Game officials urge hikers to visit www.hikeSafe.com.