Man Falls Into Ravine On NH Hike, Becomes Hypothermic: Officials

SARGENT'S PURCHASE, NH — A 23-year-old man from Kentucky was injured and became hypothermic Thursday evening after falling into a ravine while hiking Mount Washington in New Hampshire, officials said Friday.

Joabe Barbosa, from Georgetown, had left the trail and was heading down into the Ammonoosuc Ravine when he fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Barbosa called 911 at around 6:45 p.m., and conservation officers noted via his coordinates that he was well off the trail in a drainage ravine alongside one of the tributaries of the Ammonoosuc River — north of the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail at an elevation of around 3,600 feet.

Conservation officers along with a volunteer EMT from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue found Barbosa just before 10:30 p.m.

He was given boots, food, a warm drink, proper winter gear, and a headlamp then was escorted back to the trail and then to the Cog Railway parking pot, where the crew arrived around 1:40 a.m. Friday.

Barbosa was first treated in an ambulance at the Cog Railway base station before being taken to the hospital.

"Barbosa was not prepared for the hike," New Hampshire Fish and Game said.

To ensure your safety while on the trails, New Hampshire Fish and Game encourages hikers to be responsible for the following:

• Knowledge and gear: Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
• Leave your plans: Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you’ll return and your emergency plans.
• Stay together: When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
• Turn back: Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
• Potential for emergencies: Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.

For more information on hiking safety, visit New Hampshire Fish and Game.