Hiker Rescued Near Mt. Washington Summit in Windblown Snow; Found Safe

October 27, 2025 — by Scanner Alerts Media

SARGENT’S PURCHASE, N.H. — Search and rescue personnel aided a 20-year-old hiker near the summit of Mt. Washington on Sunday night after he became stranded in windblown snow with a dying headlamp and cell phone, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

At 7:00 p.m. on October 26, 2025, Conservation Officers were alerted via a 911 call that Owen Strommer, 20, of Wakefield, Rhode Island, was on the upper Tuckerman Ravine Trail, approximately 0.3 miles below the summit. Through an intermittent connection, officials learned Strommer was still moving on the marked trail but was unprepared to spend the night if forced to stop. Reported summit conditions included very limited visibility, windblown snow, an ambient temperature of 21°F, and a wind chill of 3°F.

Given the weather and fading light, a rescue effort began immediately. Conservation Officers and a volunteer from the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team (AVSAR) responded via the Mt. Washington Auto Road. From the summit, a Mt. Washington State Park staff member positioned a fully chained pickup with headlights at the top of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to serve as a visual reference while watching for the hiker.

After the initial call, Strommer continued slowly uphill, following cairns with the aid of his weakening headlamp. He eventually sighted the State Park truck’s headlights and made his way to the vehicle. At 8:29 p.m., Park staff encountered Strommer, transported him to the summit building to warm and be evaluated, and later drove him down to meet Conservation Officers for a final trip to the base. He was uninjured. All responders cleared the incident by 10:00 p.m.

Officials noted that Strommer had researched his hike but was not equipped for above-treeline winter conditions encountered on Sunday. The agency emphasized seasonal preparation for the high peaks, where winter conditions can arrive in fall. Hikers are urged to carry proper clothing and footwear, a reliable light source, and the 10 Essentials, and to plan for snow and ice even on day trips.

This update summarizes the timeline and actions reported by responding agencies: the location and condition of the hiker, weather at the summit, the coordinated response by Conservation Officers, AVSAR, and State Park staff, the 8:29 p.m. contact, and the safe outcome.

Credit: New Hampshire Fish and Game