WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Missing Teen Hiker Found Safe
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Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire - April 28, 2009
A teenage hiker who went missing for over 72 hours in the woods is back with his family safe and sound.
Scott Mason of Massachusetts was planning to summit Mount Washington Saturday. But when he did not return home, search crews were called in and it was not until this morning when he was located.
The sunburned and noticeably limping 17-year-old was embraced by members of his family at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road a little before 1 p.m. Tuesday. The Eagle Scout spent three nights in the woods after getting lost Saturday in this region of the White Mountains.
"He loves it here," said Jory Mason, Scott's mom. "He would rather be here than anywhere. And it took a lot of convincing on his part. He was just about in tears convincing me to let him go on Friday because I didn't want to let him go."
Officials from New Hampshire's Fish and Game Dept said Mason was attempting an extremely ambitious 17-mile hike before getting disoriented. Rescuers said he tried to take a short cut but encountered a swollen brook, forcing him to change course. Rescuers say hazardous conditions hampered the search.
"(Monday) morning we were walking on rocks that were so slimy you couldn't even stand up on them. We were on snow shoes all day. If you took your snow shoes off you would fall in up to your waist in snow. The rivers were overflowing with water and it was extremely hazardous. We had to do a rope crossing last night to get people out," said Mark Hensel, one of Scott Mason's rescuers.
Searchers found Mason on the ridge of Mount Clay around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and they all walked out together. He told rescuers he was headed to the observatory on top of Mt. Washington to summon help. A handful of different agencies looked for Mason, including the Vermont National Guard who searched from the sky with a helicopter. It's still not known who is going to pay for finding the teen.
"We will make our recommendations to the Attorney General. The Attorney General will review it and if they feel he was negligent, they will pursue there," said Maj. Timothy Acerno, of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept.
Mason could be billed for his rescue if Fish and Game officials determine he was negligent. If that happens, he would face a civil violation, not a criminal charge.
Fish and Game officials interviewed Mason after he was taken off the mountain. He declined to talk to the press before he was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
"The last two days have felt like a month. It is great to see him," said Mike Mason, Scott's dad.
Scott Mason was not prepared to spend three nights in the mountains. He was wearing hiking gear, but he was only planning for a day hike. Officials say that while Mason made some good decisions which lead to his rescue-- he was lucky. Especially because the weather on Mount Washington can turn very bad very fast. Officials also say that Mason broke one of the golden rules of hiking which is to always have a buddy.
Click here for more hiking safety tips.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
