Lost hiker with dying phone feared the worst as the sun started to set. Then he spotted a stack of rocks that ended up saving his life
Many people enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. However, being stuck or lost on a hiking trail while running out of supplies might be a person's biggest nightmare. A 20-year-old hiker from Rhode Island, Owen Strommer, also feared the worst when he was stuck on a hiking trail. His phone and headlamp batteries were dying as well. The overall prospects looked bleak until he spotted a stack of rocks and followed them. His decision led him to a State Park truck and turned out to be life-saving, per the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Owen was stuck in the upper areas of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and was just 0.3 miles below the peak of Mt. Washington, per the department. He was trapped at the place because of the windblown snow. Chances of getting help also looked scarce because of his dying cell phone and light. The officers at the department got a 911 call that explained to them the young man's situation and how he needed help to get out of the area. The man's cell phone connection was broken when he got in touch with the authorities. But he could tell them that he was still on the trail and his cell phone and light were on the verge of dying. He didn't have any backup either.
Owen revealed that he was doing okay, but he didn't have enough resources to spend the night out in the cold. It was also not possible for him to stop moving. It was quite cold at the top of the mountain and the visibility was low as well. Officers and volunteers from the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team were sent to the mountain auto road to get the man out of there. A member from the Mt. Washington State Park also joined the search effort. He drove his truck to the top of the summit and parked it there. The staff member also kept the lights of the truck on to ensure that Owen would be able to spot him easily.
On the other hand, Owen had also started walking up the trail with the help of his headlamp. At a crucial moment, he spotted cairns, stacks of rocks used to mark trails, according to the source. He followed the rocks and could spot the headlights of the parked truck soon after. The man managed to walk up to the truck and was checked by the staff for any injuries or other issues. Strommer reached the truck at around 8:29 PM on that day and was found to be unharmed. He was taken to the base of the mountain and could go back completely safe, only an hour and a half later.
The authorities explained that even though it was still fall in New Hampshire, the high peaks of the White Mountains had begun experiencing winter. So it was important for anyone hiking to the top to be prepared for winter conditions. They warned that a person's life might depend on how prepared they are for a bad situation. The department revealed that Owen had done some research, but was not prepared to hike above the treeline. The man was really grateful for all the help he received and thanked the officers for coming to his rescue. People can visit hikesafe.com for more information on how to prepare for different hiking conditions.
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