Mt. Chocorua Search and Rescue Accident Analysis

Last summer a group of four Massachusetts men, all age 23, decided to go for a late-day hike on Mount Chocorua. At 6pm, they departed from the Kancamagus Highway trailhead that serves both Champney Falls and Bolles trails. Normally, the hike to the summit of Chocorua takes about three hours, but with little extra weight to slow them down, the young men reached the top in half the time. They wore sneakers, T-shirts, and shorts, and carried nothing other than cell phones.

Descending the same trail at a similar pace would have put the four men back to the trailhead at approximately 9pm. Instead, they chose to take a different trail believing it would loop them back. Their choice aimed them in the wrong direction, and the four headed south toward Tamworth. By nightfall, the men realized their mistake and began to backtrack on the Bolles Trail heading for the correct trailhead. Along the way, they found a cell signal and managed to get a call out to a friend. They described their predicament and asked him to call 911 if he didn’t hear from them in two hours.

At 11:45pm, the hikers’ friend alerted authorities of the four overdue men. He was asked to drive to the trailhead and leave a note on their car letting them know that a search was under way. This was done, but when the first conservation officer arrived at the trailhead at approximately 12:45pm, the car was gone. Evidently, the four had made it back to their car and departed fifteen minutes earlier without noticing the note on their windshield. Their new problem was that they had gone the wrong way on the Kancamagus Highway and were headed west for Lincoln instead of east to their accommodations in Albany. Eventually, they realized their mistake and while turning around were spotted by the NH Fish and Game officers, the note stuck to their windshield.

Analysis: First-time hikers can come to the mountains having read maps and guidebooks or making inquiries to reliable sources. Had this group looked at a map before going into the woods, they would have seen that not all trails loop back to their starting points. Second, hikers must know a little something about basic mountain travel and survival. Read a book, ask a friend, hire a guide. The first tenet of the hiker’s responsibility code also emphasizes using the correct gear. They did not carry with them anything that might be considered standard hiking equipment. There were plenty of cell phones, but no map or a light. They made a decision to forgo the known route and journey into the unknown with limited daylight. This may seem like a crazy choice with all things considered, but analysis of search and rescue incidents shows us that it is fairly common. One behavorial trap that affects our decision-making abilities is commonly referred to as the back to the barn syndrome. We need to recognize the potential for influenced judgement when we are anxious to get back because night is approaching. Without these pressures, we might look for a better way out. With the pressure on, we might decide to bushwhack back to our cars because it would be quicker than taking the trail. Sometimes the shortcut is the right choice, but it pays to ask if we’d make the same decision if not pressed for time.

Whatever your outdoor activity, be prepared for anything, including the possibility of changing your route. Before heading out, let others know your plans, check your maps, and check the weather. Different gear is needed for the variety of activities we participate in. If you do not know what you need for a safe trip, ask your trip leader. The GO website has some fantastic resources for members. Check out our hiking gear list. The website also has links to helpful information.

There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear!

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July Member of the Month

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Respect Trip Leader’s Requirements

Please respect a trip leader’s experience, requirements, etc. While GO is a welcoming club that wants all guys to enjoy trips, some trips may not be unfit guys, and some guys may not yet have the experience or gear to go on a given trip. While many in GO enjoy sharing their know-how and helping guys learn new skills, we are not primarily set up to do instruction. However, many organizations and outfitters offer instruction. Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities we have in this country for such learning experiences.

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Transporting your own firewood is prohibited in many states and not a good practice. The Asian Longhorn Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer are two pests that threaten our forests and can be spread via camp firewood. >>Click Here For More Info

Trip Reports/Pics

Photos and trip reports from past trips include hikes, swimming/sunbathing, mountain biking, and the Mt. Washington Fundraising Hike. GO raised a whopping total of $1,455 for the Mt. Washinton Observatory with Stephen Bellows raising the most money at $875. The overall total raised was $196,000 with about 479 Seek-the-Peakers reaching the summit today! >>View Trip Reports/Pics

Be cool, get out, and have fun! See you on the next adventure.