Hiker Rescued on Jewell Trail, Mt. Washington
CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Sgt. Matthew Holmes
603-788-4850
603-271-3361
September 8, 2025
Thompson and Meserves Purchase– During the overnight hours of September 7 into September 8, 2025, Conservation Officers and Volunteer Search and Rescue Team members worked to assist an injured hiker off of Mt. Washington.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified that a hiker, Karen Shaffer, 76, of Orange, California, had suffered a lower leg injury while hiking the upper reaches of the Jewell Trail. Shaffer had reportedly fallen multiple times and was unable to keep going without assistance. Shaffer was still over 2.5 miles up the trail from the nearest road, with bad weather and dropping temperatures in the forecast. Given all of the know information, Conservation Officers mobilized a rescue party to respond to assist.
Shortly after 6:00 p.m., rescuers began arriving at the Base Station of the Cog Railway. The first team of rescuers were on the trail with emergency gear at about 7:00 p.m. By 8:25 p.m., the initial team made contact with Shaffer and her husband on the Jewell Trail at about 5000 feet of elevation. Both parties had been stationary for four hours, and rescuers worked to warm them up and dry them off. Shaffer was treated for her injuries on scene and soon placed into a rescue litter. The rescue team began moving back down the mountain with Shaffer at 8:49 p.m.
In all, 15 volunteers from the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team (AVSAR) and 3 Conservation Officers worked together to carry Shaffer out of the woods. Their efforts were successful, and the entire rescue party arrived safely roadside at 12:40 a.m. on the morning of September 8. Shaffer and her husband were very grateful for the effort of the team and expressed their gratitude to all involved.
Conservation Officers would like to remind hikers that a seasonal change is in full swing in the mountains of New Hampshire. Daytime temperatures are warm, but nights are getting very cold.
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