Hikers From NY And Mass Rescued After Becoming Stranded on Mount Washington's Huntington Ravine Trail

SARGENTS PURCHASE, NH - Five hikers were safely guided off Mount Washington on Saturday night after becoming stranded on a hazardous stretch of the Huntington Ravine Trail during heavy rain and severe weather.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers were notified of the situation at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7. The group had encountered low visibility and heavy rain while attempting to descend a particularly steep and technical section of the trail, leaving them unable to move forward safely.

A full rescue operation was initiated, mobilizing Conservation Officers alongside volunteers from the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue team and the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC).

Given the extended response time for rescue teams to reach the remote location, the group decided to attempt a descent on their own once the torrential rain briefly subsided. Outfitted with proper cold-weather gear—including ropes, crampons, microspikes, helmets, and multiple warm layers—the hikers navigated most of the steep terrain before meeting an AMC hut caretaker at about 7:45 p.m.

The caretaker, who had hiked over from the nearby Hermit Lake Shelter, was the first responder on the scene.

No injuries were reported. The AMC caretaker assisted the group through the remainder of the Huntington Ravine Trail before returning to Hermit Lake. The five hikers then continued down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail on their own, reaching the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center safely at around 10:00 p.m.

Authorities identified the hikers as Andres Perez Gonzalez, 22, of Croton Falls, N.Y.; Esteban Gonzalez, 23, of Cranston, R.I.; Robert Zieba, 23, of Albany, N.Y.; Harrold Vega Montengro, 26, of Malden, Mass.; and Jefferson Pazcoy, 22, of Brewster, N.Y. Officials noted that the group's high-quality winter hiking and climbing gear played a critical role in their safety during the ordeal.

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