The New Hampshire Fish and Game said 53-year-old Xi Chen, from Andover, Mass., Was operating a Presidential Traverse, which is about 20 miles long and crosses every mountain in the Presidential White Mountains. Chen became severely hypothermic on a trail near Mount Clay on Saturday night until early Sunday morning, prompting what was described as a “high-risk” rescue effort. Fish and Game officials said Chen sent a message to his wife around 6:30 p.m. to say he was cold and wet and could not go on, adding that he felt he would die without rescue. Rescuers worked to reach Chen despite low temperatures, rain and winds of more than 80 mph. The first team found Chen not responding around 10:30 p.m. They placed a shelter on it and tried to warm it. Chen did not answer, but showed signs of life, so the team began to take him to the top of Mount Washington. He was transported over a mile in a waiting truck and taken to an ambulance at the base of the mountain around 1 p.m. Chen was rushed to a local hospital, but did not survive despite several hours of rescue efforts. Rescuers received multiple calls on Saturday for hikers who were cold and wet, most of them at high altitudes in the Presidential District. The New Hampshire Fish and Game has warned hikers to be careful to avoid similar situations. “Sometimes having enough equipment is not enough. In the weather this weekend, it is better to get down and get away from the wind and cold instead of pushing until it is too late,” Fish and Game told statement.
