Rescuers Find ‘Unprepared’ Hikers Stuck Waist-Deep in Snow After Their Phones Die

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Shutterstock / Christopher Georgia

Shutterstock / Christopher Georgia

Two teenagers were rescued after they were caught unprepared — and waist-deep in snow — while hiking in the New Hampshire mountains.Adrian Colon, 17, and Andrew Lucier, 18, of Auburn, Mass., were hiking a seven-mile loop on Mount Moosilauke on Thursday, Feb. 20 when they called for help at approximately 6:42 p.m.,according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.The teens were without snowshoes or headlamps and were having trouble navigating the trail, authorities said.During their call with rescuers, the cell phone being used lost battery and all contact was lost.After finding a battery charger in their gear, the hikers made another 911 call about an hour later and told authorities that they had moved to a “more packed out hiking trail and were trying to self-rescue.”Officers began a rescue mission for the hikers and located them about two hours after their initial call, near the Ravine Lodge at 8:38 p.m.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When Colon and Lucier set out around 1 p.m. that day, they had warm gear for winter hiking but lacked other essentials that “would have prevented the rescue call,” New Hampshire Fish and Game said.In a news release, the agency took the opportunity to remind hikers about the “10 essential items” needed before venturing into the wilderness.A map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, a headlamp, fire starter, first-aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants and a knife comprise the list, with authorities noting that snow, ice and winter temperatures “require additional gear.”Mount Moosilauke is about a 90-minute drive north of Manchester, N.H., and is located in the White Mountains.

Two teenagers were rescued after they were caught unprepared — and waist-deep in snow — while hiking in the New Hampshire mountains.

Adrian Colon, 17, and Andrew Lucier, 18, of Auburn, Mass., were hiking a seven-mile loop on Mount Moosilauke on Thursday, Feb. 20 when they called for help at approximately 6:42 p.m.,according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

The teens were without snowshoes or headlamps and were having trouble navigating the trail, authorities said.

During their call with rescuers, the cell phone being used lost battery and all contact was lost.

After finding a battery charger in their gear, the hikers made another 911 call about an hour later and told authorities that they had moved to a “more packed out hiking trail and were trying to self-rescue.”

Officers began a rescue mission for the hikers and located them about two hours after their initial call, near the Ravine Lodge at 8:38 p.m.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When Colon and Lucier set out around 1 p.m. that day, they had warm gear for winter hiking but lacked other essentials that “would have prevented the rescue call,” New Hampshire Fish and Game said.

In a news release, the agency took the opportunity to remind hikers about the “10 essential items” needed before venturing into the wilderness.

A map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, a headlamp, fire starter, first-aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants and a knife comprise the list, with authorities noting that snow, ice and winter temperatures “require additional gear.”

Mount Moosilauke is about a 90-minute drive north of Manchester, N.H., and is located in the White Mountains.

source: people.com