Search and rescue for missing hikers in NH's White Mountains

What happens when hikers go missing in winter? Sergeant Alex Lopashanski of New Hampshire Fish & Game tells the story of a search and rescue attempt on December 24th & 25th, 2022, and provides takeaways all hikers should consider before venturing into the mountains. As seen on White Mountains Today with host Chris Proulx.

[@paulkrause6072]

Thank you Sergeant Alex Lopashanski for all that you do. As you calmly describe facing life threatening situations, I realized that if I am ever in trouble on the trail, I'm glad to know someone like you is trained to help me!

[@TheJohnnyBE]

Thank you Sgt Lopashanski and the the other Fish & Game staff who risk their own lives, as well as the SAR Volunteers.

[@michaelgaluszka8123]

Words are insufficient to express my admiration and awe at what NHF&G, emergency responders and volunteers do when these calls come in. These people are simply amazing and deserve far more recognition from the rest of us. Great advise from Sgt. Lopashanski. My day pack always has enough gear to get me through a night and a day; fortunately, I have not had the need for it all (or the selfless assistance from these great people) in nearly 60 years of tramping the woods and mountains, but you never know. Hats off to the search and rescue community.

[@mtadams2009]

I would like to thank this officer for his dedication to public safety. If you spend enough times on the high peaks you will be amazed at the things you see. Thank you fish and game and all those that have assisted those in need.

[@ethansaunders2199]

Excellent interview, and great info. Thanks Sarge and Chris!

[@MrFrenchy777]

Thank you for this important info. Glad to see New Hampshire folks speaking up about this.

[@ZZ-hu8gu]

❤So great we have people who will jump up at anytime to save people in lethal conditions ! AWESOME !❤

[@beckiejani7782]

Thanks Fish and Game and all the SAR volunteers. Stay safe.

[@tjchisholm8294]

Awesome talk! I hope people listen!!

[@briandonahue3663]

Yes! Awesome talk! Iv hiked the notch for 35+ years.Its a very Tricky place! Weather changes on the drop of a dime! And one thing you need Is Respect for the Mountains! If not.Theres a Price to pay!And hats off to All the F&G and rescuers who brave the Weather for these rescues!

[@rodc4334]

Solid episode. Sgt Lopashanski is really impressive. While I confess to hiking the Whites solo sometimes even in the winter (FWIW I teach winter mountaineering, ice climbing, etc.), it really pays to build up your skills little by little over the years, hike with more experienced people until you get to the point you can lead trips, keep your ego at home (no shame in stopping and going home if the conditions are worse than expected, or deciding to take another trail and just stay low), and keep a very close watch on the weather forecasts and pick only decent days. I overtook a couple of early 20 year old brothers on Little Haystack a couple of winters ago. Their first winter hike, cotton work pants (!) unfamiliar with their borrowed gear. I took them across the ridge, over Lafyette, and down to Greenleaf Hut. They were very thankful. I expect they would have been ok, strong and young. But the conditions were tough - not horrendous, but cold and blowing, icy - so normal winter conditions. Nice kids. I enjoyed the conversation when we were able to talk over the wind. They learned some things I think will help them going forward. FWIW I hiked from the hut down to the bottom with a group of 25(ish) year old guys I met while having lunch at Greenleaf Hut, more experienced, properly equipped. Had a really nice conversation with them too. I am just an old retired guy wandering mountains, but really enjoy the kids I meet along the way. Older folks too.

[@essephenn1517]

Excellent program. A big thanks and respect for the Fish and Game personnel and SAR Volunteers. It is amazing what these folks do. Promoting outside adventures is a good thing I believe social media has contributed to the issue. Experience and preparation in any season for contingencies is important. Light, clothing, food, communication, etc. important. In addition I suggest a Garmin or similar for tracking, messaging, and SOS.

[@peterfagley772]

Thank you !

[@rjchavers9267]

Good interview. Thank you to the people that put in the work to help others. May God bless and protect you always. 🙏

[@gwickle1685]

Very well done. Good questions and answers.

[@lives4summits]

Thanks for using all my pics and video from my 12/27 solo loop!

[@sademcfadden1374]

Aye shout out to Northeast Mountaineering, taking a course with them this spring!

[@SettlersGreenOutletVillage]

Nice interview, thank you for your service.

[@GetUpTheMountains]

The hardest thing for me about winter hiking the Whites is finding someone to do it with.

[@chris5459]

Really good information thank you for all you do. I know for myself I hiked part way up the falling waters trail in 2020 fall and turned back when I had issues with my socks/pants being wet and didn’t feel comfortable continuing. Could you provide frequencies in use for ham radio? I have a radio I use to listen to NOAA but am not familiar with the repeaters in the area.

[@williamdyckman9704]

Appreciate what you do !!

[@thomasconnors7511]

Always carry all your gear. It could save your life.

[@jimbobxcityguy5338]

The so called "4k" list is a problem. Many try to finish or do it ignoring the weather forcast or possible conditions. We can't stop the fatalities in the futue due to the many who ignore the facts of hiking in the winter and summer as well. Best to keep the Fish and Game in full supply and hire plenty of folks within to deal with it all. I believe it would of been a learning experience to many if he had his gear he brought that xmas eve and laid it out to show what you need to bring to help your odds up there. Gear like used in Everest is key here. GPS no phones Ha. I've been saying that for 25 yrs.

[@zanaevans7403]

The 4000 footer club is nothing new. My father and I did them all back in the late 80's. Back then there were deaths,not as many. I will say driving by trail heads these days the amount of parked cars is unbelievable. Way more people seem to be hiking these days for sure. Back in the 80s when people had trouble the common denominator all ways was, no map no hat. I'll never hike with out these 2 items regardless the season. If it keeps up the Fed's will implement a permit system like Angels landing out in Zion. Believe me no one wants that!

[@beckiejani7782]

@@zanaevans7403 I'll add a third item; LIGHT!!!!! My daughter and I carry two a piece. Even for a couple hours in the woods, you never know...

[@trailslippah]

Zana social media has changed it. Also Zion isn’t a national forest

[@jimbobxcityguy5338]

@@trailslippah Also just more and more people around. Also I believe folks have been turned off traveling to cities being expensive,crime ridden,traffic etc. Cape Cod is so crowed and priced out as well as all along the East Coast. Coming to the mountains is fun and cheap compared to those other choices. I myself left the coast to live up North.

[@zanaevans7403]

@@trailslippah it's all run by the Fed's,

[@petra8888]

The leg aiming towards camera is very disturbing.