The hiker rescued from Gulfside Trail Saturday night has died of his injuries. The hiker identified as Xi Chen, 53, of Andover, MA was attempting a Presidential Traverse when he was overcome by severe weather conditions.
On the Gulfside Trail, officers with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department found Chen, 53, unresponsive and suffering from acute hypothermia. They stated that he had been there for some time.
A video provided by the organization demonstrated the treacherous conditions that rescue workers endured on their way to the lost hiker.
Chen was carried more than a mile up to the summit of Mount Washington, where officials made attempts to resuscitate him before transporting him to an ambulance at the base of the mountain.
After being treated for several hours at the Androscoggin Valley Hospital, it was eventually determined that he could not be saved and he was pronounced dead there.
According to the officials, Chen had texted his wife, informing her that he was “cold and wet and could not continue on.”
The officials stated in a press statement that the man had written that he believed he would pass away if he was not rescued.
After that, Chen’s wife made contact with officials, who assisted in making the rescue operation a success.
As a result of the hazardous weather conditions on Saturday, a number of hikers had called in to report their experiences to officials with the Fish and Game Department.
At the highest points of the range, temperatures were below freezing, and rain, sleet, and snow were all coexisting in the atmosphere.
Chen was a native of the city of Andover in the state of Massachusetts.
According to the authorities, he was attempting to traverse the Presidential Range when the harsh weather caught up with him.
The Presidential Traverse may be found within the White Mountains of New Hampshire and passes via several of the state’s most impressive summits.
This hike will take you to the summits of Mount Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce, and Jackson in addition to Madison Peak and Adams Peak. It will also take you to the summits of Mount Jefferson and Mount Washington.
If you come prepared and the weather cooperates, you should be able to finish the hike in two or three days at the most.
