More than 20 ill-prepared hikers some first-time rescued from Mount Washington in frigid, snowy conditions

Over 20 “ill-prepared” hikers trapped atop Mount Washington in New Hampshire were rescued after they began developing hypothermia in frigid, snowy conditions with little gear, according to authorities.The hikers reached the mountain’s 6,288-foot summit Saturday with “no idea that summit services would be unavailable and that the state park was closed for the season,” Andy Vilaine, the assistant general manager for the Mount Washington Cog Railway, said in a statement.“We have brought down over 20 ill-prepared hikers from the Summit of Mount Washington.Many were hypothermic and without gear, even near suitable for the conditions,” Vilaine wrote.Railway crew members discovered the distressed hikers while heading to the summit, ABC News reported.

Several of the hikers had told train officials that they “didn’t think they would be able to hike back down,” with the manager agreeing after assessing their outward appearance, Vilaine told the outlet.Temperatures near the summit had reached a bone-chilling 15 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, with a wind chill between minus 5 and 0 degrees, he recalled.Several of the hikers developed signs of hypothermia after bringing non-waterproof layers and sneakers on the hike, with some admitting that it was their “first hike ever,” the outlet reported.

Crew members herded the hikers into the train and placed some in locomotive vans with the heat blasting to counteract the chilly temperatures.After the bumbling hikers were discovered, New Hampshire State Parks released a statement warning hikers to do research before embarking on a trek.“At 12 pm on October 26, it was 21 degrees with a 30mph wind.

The Sherman Adams building at Mount Washington State Park is CLOSED for the season, and there is no shelter,” the statement said.“Multiple people have arrived at the summit the last few days very unprepared for winter and required assistance.Be ‘Wildly Responsible’ and please do some research on curr...