Missing hikers found safe on Mount Washington
Matt Collette, Globe Correspondent
Two hikers who had been missing for almost 48 hours in the White Mountains were found today on Mount Washington by a search team in a helicopter.
The two men, who were described by officials at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department as experienced hikers, were not injured when they were found at 10 a.m.
"They were in good shape, they were well prepared," said Lieutenant Kevin Jordan of Fish and Game. "They did exactly what they should have done. They knew to get down from the heights, down from the tree line, and that's what saved their lives."
Alex Obert, 30, and Steven McCay, 29, are both from Arlington, Va. They set out Sunday to cross the Presidential Traverse, which is a hike of 12 to 19 miles. Bad weather forced them down the mountain and into an area with no cellphone reception, Jordan said.
The men were reported missing at 2:30 a.m. Monday. A search began at sunrise, but the effort was hindered by rain, flooding, and poor visibility, which made it impossible to use a helicopter, Jordan said.
The hikers were spotted today on the Dry River Trail on the south side of Mount Washington, about 10 miles from where they started their hike and four miles from Route 302. The men were airlifted to Highland Center in Crawford Notch and reunited with family.
