A 28-year-old hiker from Portland, Maine, named Patrick Bittman was rescued in central New Hampshire after becoming lost and suffering from hypothermia during a solo hike on Mount Lafayette. Bittman had embarked on the hike to see the sunrise on Wednesday night but encountered deep blowing snow near the summit of Little Haystack, forcing him to turn back down the mountain. Unfortunately, he became lost on his way back and ended up in the Dry Brook drainage area, where temperatures dropped to around 20 degrees with wind chills near zero.
After spending the night lost on the mountain, Bittman called 911 on Thursday morning, reporting that his limbs were frozen, he was experiencing hypothermia, and he was no longer able to move through the deep snow. Ground crews from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team, and an aerial crew from the Army National Guard responded to his call. However, they faced challenges due to poor visibility from cloud cover, intermittent snow squalls, steep terrain, and thick vegetation, which required them to adapt their approach to reach Bittman.
The first ground rescuers spent an hour navigating through dense vegetation to reach Bittman by early Thursday afternoon. By then, he was found suffering from severe hypothermia and was provided with an emergency sleeping bag for shelter, warm and dry clothes, and warm fluids. Two hours later, the Army National Guard was able to reach Bittman with a medic thanks to improved weather conditions, airlifting him out of the area and flying him to a local hospital for treatment. New Hampshire Fish & Game officials praised the collaborative efforts of the search and rescue teams from various groups working together towards the common goal of rescuing Bittman.
The rescue operation was complicated by challenging weather conditions, terrain, and vegetation, which required ground crews to bushwhack through thick vegetation to reach Bittman. The collaborative efforts of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team, and the Army National Guard were vital in successfully rescuing Bittman. The aerial rescue conducted by the Army National Guard played a crucial role in evacuating Bittman from the mountain, saving valuable time and effort compared to a traditional ground-based rescue operation through rugged terrain.
Bittman’s solo hike in central New Hampshire highlights the importance of being prepared for changing weather conditions and potential hazards while hiking in remote areas. The incident serves as a reminder to hikers to carry essential supplies, such as extra clothing, emergency shelter, food, water, and navigation equipment, when venturing into the wilderness. The successful rescue of Bittman demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative search and rescue efforts in New Hampshire, where multiple agencies work together to ensure the safety and well-being of outdoor enthusiasts facing emergencies in the backcountry.
