Thread: Lost hiker in NH dies of hypothermia

Bummer.. - gotta pay attention to that weather report, extreme winter weather was forecast for Sun Afternoon/Evening..http://cache.boston.com/images/daily...ain_search.jpg

That really sucks- she was alive this morning, that's an update of an earlier article. There was a quote from their son about how happy he was that they were found.

By Kate Mccann, Associated Press, 3/23/2004 13:27


FRANCONIA, N.H. (AP) A Massachusetts woman died shortly after she and her husband were rescued from a ridge in the White Mountains, where they spent two nights in subzero temperatures and a snowstorm.

Russell and Brenda Cox, of Andover, Mass., failed to return home Sunday after a day hike in the Franconia Notch region of the White Mountains. A National Guard helicopter spotted them Tuesday morning near the summit of the 5,249-foot Mount Lafayette.

Both were suffering from hypothermia; Brenda Cox's case was more advanced and she was unconscious. She later died at Littleton Hospital, a New Hampshire Fish and Game Department spokesman said.

About 30 volunteers, including mountain guides, search and rescue teams and helicopters, battled hip-deep snowdrifts after more than a foot of snow fell on Sunday night, covering any tracks. The wind chill made it feel like 60 below zero.

The Coxes, both 43, made a shelter in the snow during the storm. They continued walking on Monday and found shelter that night in a cave, Fish and Game Lt. Todd Bogardus said.

Russell Cox was wearing a yellow jacket and signaled to rescuers. He was shaking and wrapped in blankets, but was able to use his hands and drink water as he waited for an ambulance, Bogardus said.

The couple, who work in electronics, are avid hikers and had hiked Mount Lafayette several times, including in the winter, Bogardus said. They have two sons, one of whom called police Sunday night after the couple didn't come home.

''They know what they're doing,'' Steve Wannamaker, Brenda Cox's brother, said before the couple was found. ''They both have too much sense to wander off. They know to stay together and stay warm.''

Edit: Double

Is there any fund established for the kids?

C'mon magnions - let's step up.

Found this on my hard drive, a reminder these folks should have heeded, even if they weren't technically in "The Presidentials"..
http://home.beld.net/~davev/Mt_Wash_Warning.jpg

hiking is gay

I once heard that dayhiking is the most dangerious if something goes wrong. I started to believe it on a hike last year in Little Cottonwood which nearly killed me and a friend.

Anyway, if something goes wrong on a multiday backpacking trip, you have shelter, supplies, and enough water to make it a few days. Day hikes your SOL pretty quick.

Tragic loss...