CONTACT:
Capt. Martin Garabedian: (603) 271-3127
Liza Poinier: (603) 271-3211
January 15, 2004
Body of Backpacker Recovered in White Mountains
CONCORD, N.H. -- The body of a winter backpacker
was recovered this afternoon in the area of South Twin Mountain and the
Twinway Trail in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest. The body
was spotted during a helicopter search by the Army National Guard and
later airlifted off the mountain and transported to Concord Hospital.
A cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner's Office.
The victim's identity is being withheld pending notification of family
members; Fish and Game officials will provide further information as it
becomes available.
The Twinway Trail is several miles of rough hiking from the nearest road,
in an area with several peaks above 4,000 feet elevation. Weather conditions
in New Hampshire this week have been extremely cold, windy and dangerous,
with the temperature dropping well below zero throughout the state. Mt.
Washington Observatory reported temperatures ranging from -29 degrees
F down to -44 degrees F on Wednesday in the White Mountains, with a reported
wind chill of -94 on Mt. Washington.
For hiking safety information, click here. www.hikeSafe.com
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