Fish and Game conservation officers rescued a Loudon man in the White Mountains on Friday in whiteout conditions, the department wrote in a press release.
Robert Cummings, 25, set out early Friday morning to hike Mt. Lafayette along Old Bridle path but decided to turn back as he approached Lafayette’s summit and saw bad weather approaching about 7 a.m.
Overcome by high winds with no visibility, Cummings spent about three hours searching for trail markers before using Facebook to tell friends that he was in trouble.
“Send help, stuck by cairn on Old Bridle in alpine between hut and Lafayette Summit,” Cummings wrote in the post about 10 a.m. “Wind took map and compass white out conditions.”
Several callers to Fish and Game reported seeing the post, and Cummings sent a text message to 911 saying he needed help. Cummings huddled in a snow cave near the only trail marker he could find. He was eventually able to make a short call to 911 and rescue teams were able to locate his precise coordinates.
Wind speeds had reached about 40 mph with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees.
Conservation officers reached Cummings about 4:30 p.m. between the summit and Greenleaf Trail. They guided him out to the trailhead, arriving at about 7 p.m.
In the news release, Fish and Game officials warn hikers that winter conditions have arrived in the White Mountains. For information on safe hiking tips, visit hikesafe.com. To purchase a Hike Safe card, which supports Fish and Game search and rescue efforts, visit wildnh.com/safe.