Veteran Hikers Rescued After Harrowing Night on Mount Washington

Two experienced Massachusetts hikers were rescued on Monday morning after a perilous night stranded on Mount Washington, known for its notoriously unpredictable and extreme weather, The Associated Press reports.

Kathryn McKee, 51, of Southborough, and Beata LeLacheur, 54, of Westborough, found themselves lost and battling whiteout conditions, waist-deep snow, and sub-zero temperatures.

The pair, veteran hikers who had conquered Mount Washington just a month prior and recently trekked other White Mountain peaks, were descending the trail Sunday evening, already an hour behind schedule and racing against the fading daylight. While equipped with warm clothing, headlamps, and other essential gear, the weather took a dramatic turn.

At the summit, the temperature plummeted to 2 degrees below zero (minus 19 Celsius), with sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph.

Adding to their woes, one of McKee’s snowshoes became trapped in a “spruce trap,” a hidden hole in the snow beneath a tree. After an hour of unsuccessful self-rescue attempts, the hikers called 911, reaching New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers. Using GPS coordinates, the officers directed them toward the trail, a mere 34 feet away, but the conditions proved too challenging.

Trapped at an elevation of around 5,000 feet, the women endured six hours battling the elements. McKee reported losing the use of her hands despite wearing gloves with liners, due to the extreme cold.

A rescue effort was launched, with the Mount Washington State Park snowcat carrying nine rescuers up the auto road, arriving at the summit just before midnight. Rescue crews then snowshoed through the wind-swept snow towards the hikers’ last known location, making contact at 1:50 a.m. Monday.

McKee and LeLacheur were suffering from frostbite, primarily affecting their hands. Rescuers quickly established emergency shelters before assisting the women in moving on their own. By 4:15 a.m., the group had successfully trekked down to the base station of the Cog Railway.

Despite the ordeal, officials emphasized that McKee and LeLacheur were well-prepared for winter hiking, carrying necessary emergency gear and possessing prior experience. However, losing the trail in the sudden and severe conditions proved overwhelming. Both women had also received hiking training through the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Worcester, Massachusetts, chapter.