ANDOVER, Massachusetts – An avid Andover hiker died Saturday while climbing Mount Washington. He succumbed to severe hypothermia, even when rescuers rushed him to the Gulfside Trail in the face of howling winds, rain and snow. “It was 50-60, with bursts over 80,” said Lt. Bob Mancini Jr. of the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Wildlife. These conditions are not normal for June, but not unexpected in Mount Washington, which has a reputation for bad weather all year round. «Mt. “Washington is historically known to be one of the worst weather locations in the world,” said Lt. Mancini. The victim, Xi Chen, 53, was an experienced hiker and had reservations about the Cloud Hut lakes at the top, according to his wife. All day, the weather was getting worse. Boston 25 received the latest in a series of text messages from his wife. He refused to speak to the camera. One of the first texts shows that Qin was worried. He wrote: “She was a little worried about the heat. Watch my location. “ Just before 4:30, he sent his destination. «Mt. Washington or the lake in the Cloud Hut. “ His wife replied: “It will be dark early in the night. Let me know when you get there. “ A little later, another ominous text: “If I stop moving, then I have a problem.” His wife replied: “When will I get there if you guess.” This was one of his last messages: “In trouble you can not move.” His wife tried to call but got no answer. Then he called 911. It was now 6:30. Rescuers were busy with other calls. At least half a dozen other rescues were made due to the weather. It took time, but they finally got to Chen. “Mr. Chen always did not respond,” said Lt. Mancini. He says he was taken more than a mile to the top, where he was waiting for a truck. They were taken to the base to meet an ambulance. That was seven hours after the initial 911 call. Chen was taken to a local hospital but did not survive. A massive man hiking in the mountains in the NH died after being rescued in the snow, gusts of wind 80 mph. Download it FREE Boston 25 News application for emergency alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW © 2022 Cox Media Group
