Rescuers Save Two Hikers Stranded on Mount Washington
Two 18-year-old hikers from Rochester, New York, were rescued overnight after being caught on the mountain without lights.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Hiking
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New Hampshire Fish and Game conducted an overnight rescue of two hikers, Jaden Green and Yahya Algazi, on Mount Washington after they were still on the mountain following sunset. The pair were sheltered at the Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut until rescuers arrived.
Why it matters
The rescue highlights the dangers of unprepared hiking in New Hampshire's high mountains, where fog, wind and cold can quickly turn a day hike into an emergency. It also underscores the role of state search-and-rescue operations and the cost-recovery rules that can apply when negligence contributes to a rescue.
Sustained winds were about 30 mph with gusts to 35 mph and temperatures were in the mid-40s F when the call for help came in. The Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut sits above 5,000 feet, and the extraction does not say whether any charges will be filed against the hikers.
The players
New Hampshire Fish and Game
The state agency responsible for conservation and search-and-rescue operations in the White Mountains, which conducted the overnight rescue.
Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut
A mountain hut operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club above 5,000 feet on Mount Washington, which served as the emergency shelter for the hikers.
The details
Low clouds and fog covered Mount Washington on Tuesday, and officials were notified shortly after 5 p.m. ET. Rescuers reached the Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut at 9:14 p.m., where the hikers were warmed and given food, lights and extra clothing before the group reached the base of the mountain shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: low clouds and fog covered Mount Washington throughout the day.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, shortly after 5 p.m. ET: New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 9:14 p.m.: rescuers arrived at the Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, shortly before 2 a.m.: hikers and rescuers reached the base of the mountain.
Seasonal Patterns
New Hampshire's Hike Safe program, which sells a voluntary card for $25 per person or $35 for a family, funds rescue coverage on the state's peaks and reflects the White Mountains' well-documented pattern of rapid late-autumn weather changes. Rescues of this kind tend to cluster in the shorter daylight hours of November, when sunset comes early and fog can settle over the summits.
Hikers planning trips on New Hampshire's high peaks should carry lights, extra layers and a plan for changing weather, since conditions can turn quickly after sunset. Obtaining a Hike Safe Card costs $25 per person or $35 for a family and is voluntary, but it helps cover search-and-rescue costs.
The takeaway
Carrying a headlamp, extra layers and a turnaround time can keep a late-day hike from becoming an overnight rescue. Checking conditions before heading into the White Mountains is one of the simplest safeguards hikers can take.
Further reading
For more on trail conditions and preparation, see our Hiking coverage.
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