Crime & Safety
Storm, Lack Of A Map Hinders Rhode Island Hiker’s Time In New Hampshire’s White Mountains
Conservation officers say Edward Pimental of Woonsocket started his hike Wednesday night, stayed overnight, but hiked the wrong trail back.
FRANCONIA, NH — A hiker from Rhode Island was rescued last week after being caught in a storm and getting lost while trying to hike off Garfield Ridge during an overnight trip.
Around midnight on Thursday, New Hampshire Fish & Game conservation officers heard about a hiker possibly needing assistance north of the Skookumchuk Trail on Garfield Ridge. The unprepared hiker encountered snow and ice on a trail, making their progress difficult, Lt. James Kneeland of Fish & Game said. The hiker, Edward Pimental, 39, of Woonsocket, RI, started his hike on Wednesday, up Falling Waters Trail, and then spent the night. On Thursday morning, he hiked Franconia Ridge, took a wrong trail from the summit of Mount Lafayette, and hiked north toward Garfield Ridge.
“Lacking a map,” Kneeland said, “he was unsure of where he was located and how to get out. He was unable to set up his shelter and was getting cold and wet when he decided to call 911 for help.”
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Around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, conservation officers and volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team hiked the Skookumchuk Trail. They reached Pimental’s location, more than four miles from the trailhead, just before 4:30 a.m.
Pimental, he said, admitted he was unprepared for this hike and failed to do the proper research and will likely be billed for the rescue effort.
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Kneeland commended the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and said, without their help, rescues in the state would not be as efficient. The team is celebrating its 20th year of service as an organized search and rescue group, he said.
Kneeland said hikers in or visiting New Hampshire should have the proper gear and may be required to pay for their rescue if they do not have a Hike Safe pass. For more information, visit this link.
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