A hiker rescued after getting lost and suffering from hypothermia
Patrick Bittman, a 28-year-old hiker from Portland, Maine, set out on a solo hike to witness the sunrise from Mount Lafayette in central New Hampshire. However, he encountered deep blowing snow near the summit of Little Haystack on Franconia Ridge, which forced him to turn back.
Unfortunately, Bittman became disoriented on his way down the mountain and ended up in the Dry Brook drainage area, where temperatures dropped to around 20 degrees with wind chills near zero.
After spending a harrowing night lost on the mountain, Bittman managed to call 911 on Thursday morning. He reported that his limbs were frozen, he was suffering from hypothermia, and he was unable to navigate the deep snow.
Multiple rescue teams, including the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team, and the Army National Guard, sprang into action to locate and rescue Bittman.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the rescue teams persevered and eventually reached Bittman, who was suffering from severe hypothermia. They provided him with emergency shelter, warm clothing, and fluids to stabilize his condition.
After a few hours, the Army National Guard was able to airlift Bittman to safety using a helicopter, transporting him to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the rescue teams, Bittman was successfully rescued and received the necessary medical attention. The swift aerial rescue demonstrated the effective coordination and dedication of search and rescue operations in New Hampshire.
