Searchers spent hours on Mount Washington Saturday night looking for - and locating - a lost ice climber, according to a news release from New Hampshire Fish and Game.
The call for help came about 5:30 pm from Ms. Dale Edwards, 32, of the Bronx in New York, who was climbing with two companions in the back country of the Ammonoosuc Ravine, according to Conservation Officer Matthew Holmes.
Edwards decided to try a new route up what was described as an icy flowage but rather than meeting at the top as expected she became separated and lost. She used a cell phone to call for help.
Seven members of Fish and Game’s Advanced Search and Rescue Team responded and located the two companions, who were headed down the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail.
Using “sporadic phone contact” the searchers found Edwards who was working her way back towards the trail.
The three were reunited about 11 p.m.
The three were described as experienced and wearing appropriate clothing, although they should have had more batteries for their head lamps.
“Authories want to remind all outdoor enthusiasts that there are strength in numbers, especially when it comes to situations in the backcountry,” the news release said. ”When parties separate, their available resources are instantly split up. In this incident, Ms. Edwards kept a level head and used her skills and available gear to ultimately get herself back to a known location.”
