Havent been on Bondcliff Trail since the 1990s but dont even suggest he should have lit a fire up there in a steady 45 mph squall. It aint gonna happen. I live in jackman and have found 2 corpses in Maine and NH Mt since 1986. Even if you have great gear & fitness you can only endure ~ 6 hours of -30 temperature. If you are at altitude and you think weather is trending extreme, you must come down. Accidents happen, you can't take risk. Down down down. Any trip up the hill in winter you must wear wool. Even then when the wind comes you have 6 hours max to come down or find shelter. Jesus, pardonne-nous nos peches, et conduis au ciel toutes les petit ames.
I came up a spot years ago ,one guy who died of hypothermia,little bit similar to this story,3 friends went skiing and hiking,two friends turned around because of bad weather and lived,third friend was found early summer time. He was a dad and left a young child behind.
Lots of friends know my son and I did a 4 day, 3 night trek in the White Mountains last summer. Back country camping and hiking in solitude - with each other of course. What I might not have shared is that we overdid it and ultimately hiked out to a road where, thanks to a tip from a through-hiker we met, we contacted Rafiki for a ride back to our far away car. The kindest gentleman showed up right away. Dusted me off and restored my confidence which was really rattled. He took the snapshots of my son and me that I posted for friends to see - with our old frame backpacks and our tired faces. Put me back together with such grace - and drove us to our car. The hour we had with the man whose real name was Christopher Owen Roma was unforgettable. He told me some of his inspiring story only because I asked. I recognized it in the details of news reports this weekend that one of New Hampshire’s most expert and most beloved outdoorsmen had died on a trail in the mountains, caught in terrible weather. Don’t judge. This is a man who had done this a thousand times. We are indeed all mortal, with feet of clay. The kindness of this man and the inspiration he gave us helped us see our adventure as a learning journey and a victory. We’ll be back on the trails next summer and meantime will support this GoFundMe for Chris’ son who is only 2. Please consider a gesture of support for Chris and for the humanity which he so warmly gave to me - and in reading about him today I realize for the first time that he gave the same to so many others. www.gofundme.com/f/christopher-roma?fbclid=IwAR0BqbqA1ePI-V2gGEdam3tG1lxM6iRVzWyjjU7K0nHmq4yHoMMfuMadkiQ
It’s not about judgement but about making mistakes. I don’t know his equipment but his only chance was make a snow cave to reduce wind chill and a degree or two of temperature. If he did not have cold weather gear nothing would have saved him 🙏🏼🇺🇸
I see a lot of people praying for Chris and his family and other hikers and woods lovers. Let's add the SAR folks, National Guard, and especially Doug to that list! NHFG, too!
Homeless man here, cant live in the city and be labelled a addict when I dont drink or do drugs. Complex PTSD so the woods are my only option. The advice you give is sound and I appreciate every show I have seen so far. Thank you.....🇨🇦
Hiking alone in them mountains especially in the winter is always a huge risk. Notice that year after year in these tragedies the hiker is almost always alone.The winter temperatures up them mountains are deadly and often unpredictable.
Our mountains don't care how experienced someone is. The best prepared and experienced people are frequently injured or killed precisely because they will push on where others would turn back. I used to tramp these mountains year round and I have had some bad experiences but prevailed fortunately. You mentioned ridges to stay away from, the Castellated Ridge trail comes to mind, or the Knifes Edge Trail over in Maine..
Phenomenal athlete. And a regional icon. On being prepared: tote it "all", but if too cold to access it, then it serves little-to-no purpose. Once "cold", by then it's typically already too late to course correct, especially if solo. Blesses to all affected by this loss. ☪
Here I am. 21 degrees in N Texas this morning. Beans and Rice and Jesus Christ 📖 Keep your head on a swivel, and listen to your gut. The chance we take, may not be worth it, esp to those who love us. 😢😢
Hello from Oklahoma! This story illustrates why a Person should always be prepared, even if it's just carrying some fire kit items. I'm an old man now, but I still carry a lighter of some sort, a tube of chapstick, a pocketknife and multitool and dress appropriately for the conditions. I also carry a plastic sack or 2 in my pocket. All this has saved my bacon a few times. It's a sad story RIP. Thanks for posting, we need these reminders.
If there's even a chance of bad weather don't leave the tree line. Big difference between a hiker and a woodsmen. Sad to hear . Always carry what will keep you alive and know how to use it.
Agreed, some emergency fire tinder and ignition sources and he'd still be with us. I hike the Whites every weekend and have learned that most hikers are grossly unprepared. Experienced hiker does not equal experienced woodsman.
@@davem4193 White mountains are absolutely beautiful easy to forget how fast things can go bad. Spent many nights out there all 4 seasons. Stayed away from hiking trails. Certain times of the year food was everywhere. Same with clean water. As kids we would camp with 2 ft of snow on the ground.
@@Rk-mz4bb I've spent many nights camping in the Whites, even in sub-zero temps. It's such a great place to be. I don't blame you for staying away from the hiking trails. I'm local so I know when to hike to avoid the crowds.
@@davem4193 No. It would have been literally impossible for him to save himself with a campfire in that location (on top of that ridge above the tree line in that weather.)
No judgment towards him as a human or his character. It is ok to judge ACTIONS, that way we can learn from the mistakes of others rather than make the same mistakes ourselves.
This is a very sad story. I know Christopher will be greatly missed. He left a valuable lesson for everyone that Doug helps to pass on to us. Thanks to the brave and selfless volunteers who sought to come to his aid. We can learn from all of this. Thanks Doug and God bless Christopher and his family.
If and when you learn more about this tragic event, as to what went wrong, please provide details so we can all learn from it. Thank you to all those who went to his aid and god bless his family.
Sincere condolences to Christopher's family and friends. Doug you have a beautiful empathy; thank you for helping to educate people. I don't tsee how anyone can survive for long in -50 degree wind chill. For search and rescue teams to go out in such freezing cold conditions is extremely arduous and dangerous. They are the bravest of the brave. Many thanks and blessings sent their way .
Prayers for the deceased, his family & loved ones. In these situations there are always lessons to be learned and I believe you covered that very well. Stay safe.
Very good Doug. Thank you. This, to me, brings to mind the adage “familiarity breeds contempt “. No matter how experienced you may be, don’t let down your guard.
It can go wrong quick. I tried to camp out during November one time in Michigan and I had to bail the second night there. Weather turned and wind picked up. Luckily there's lots of trail heads in that area to meet someone at. Wasn't the cold that worried me it was the falling trees mainly and the rain. Rip hiker guy. U went out doing what u do
I often wonder if normalcy bias plays a part in these tragic circumstances. You’ve done similar risky things and it’s always worked out ok-until one day it doesn’t . I am surprised the individual simply didn’t turn back. Knowing the area so well and how dangerous it can be, turning around and going home would seem the logical solution to most of us. Perhaps the belief in skills and ability simply over road common sense. A lesson for us all. Better to retreat and live to try another day. We all are reminded here that rescue isn’t going to be quick in the majority of these instances; make it as easy for those brave people as you can and be prepared to wait it out as you wait for them. May God comfort his family.
I was touched by the sensitivity and wisdom that went into this video. You addressed a difficult topic, while honoring the deceased and those who risked their lives to attempt a rescue. I will venture a guess here: hypothermia might have set in before he realized it. It can cause mental confusion even in early stages, which can lead to fatal decisions. Sometimes no amount of experience or equipment can prevent a tragedy.
Thank you Doug for bringing these news events to our attention. Our prayers are with the families who have suffered this loss. Please keep up the encouraging word you bring during times like these!!!!! What you are doing is valuable to those who wish to learn!!!! Blessings Doug!!!
Pastor Doug, thank you bringing this to our attention. prayers for the young hiker's family will be included in our church's prayer concerns. In reality, you are a compassionate on-line pastor to many UA-cam viewers. May God bless you, your family, your viewers, & especially the family of the young hiker. To God be the glory. Pastor George
It seems that this is a case of overconfidence and being ill prepared, no one is invincible and becoming overconfident is a sure path to defeat. Always be humble and over prepared and never take chances. A sad story for sure, but it has happened before, and no doubt will happen again.
So I pulled an all nighter . Watched your first two videos and on this 3rd . Love that your just a few hours from Billerica, Ma. , and do your videos in N.H. . I've hiked all the 4,000 plus footers except Washington . Your vids keep me close to N.H. .
@@DougShoeBushcraft you're welcome I live in the Great Smoky mountains and with the gear and experience that I have if there's 2 ft of snow or a foot of snow and single digits I don't even bother going out, I've done it before and it is hard
Thanks Doug for your very respectful reporting of this terrible tragedy which has really affected me. Your story and the quote below "the people we rescue are prepared -- they just had a really bad day" is leading me to re-evaluate my own judgment as to how far to push it.
Again.... But this time with no tragic event. Three Unprepared hikers were rescued. by NHF&G on Mount Monadnock Friday (evening) 1/19/24. Above the treeline with no flashlights to get back on the trail and -10°F. 😮
Yes. Before I could edit and upload this video, there were 3 people trying to camp above the tree line. I'm planning to report on this incident as well. It proves to me that the word has to get out. I'm not blaming these 3 people. I'm saying that (apparently) they didn't know any better. They didn't know how ridiculously dangerous it was. That means to me- There is a need for education. So thank you and everyone for commenting and participating here. UA-cam is promoting this video over local new channels. The TV news reporting is good, but I haven't been seeing them having much commentary about what the people did wrong, why it's dangerous, etc. Some times they will have a brief blurb by a NH Fish & Game official. So please share this video and others if you can.
Thanks for posting. I believe you had some difficulty with this post like it was close to your heart. I think I would have had some difficulty speaking as well knowing that he leaves a young son behind. I also want to thank you for sharing the Bible passage that suits this post and the warning to be careful. As I sit in my relatively warm home watching the sun rise with freezing weather outside, I can't begin to imagine what it felt like to be in Chris's situation. I pray that his family will have peace and his death will leave a legacy of how even professional hikers can be overwhelmed in bad weather.
I would definitely question anyone's judgement who's out in that crap alone, without a locator beacon and satellite phone. When conditions get ugly, you hole up with a fire to help you stay warm, conserve your calories, with the smoke marking your location and call for help if you dont have enough food, etc, to last you thru the expected rescue time-frame
It's not so much the lack of locator beacon or being alone, the question I have is why didn't he have fire starting material? That would have saved him.
For that to work, he would have had to stop below the tree line (or not go too far above the tree line, and turn around before he got too cold). As it was, he kept going up until it was impossible for him to get back. There is no / little firewood up on the ridge and in that weather it's literally impossible to keep a fire going long enough to warm up.
@@DougShoeBushcraft then he should never have gone there without adequate food, clothing, shelter, como device or a friend, eh? If somebody jumps off of Niagra falls, naked no gea, what are we to assume except they are suicidal or too stupid to live?
then he should never have gone there without adequate food, clothing, shelter, commo device or a friend, eh? If somebody jumps off of Niagra falls, naked no gear, what are we to assume except they are suicidal or too stupid to live ? You cant fix stupidity.
Really sad story to see such an experienced outdoor enthusiast meet such an end. I watched your comments on Emily Sitelo almost exactly 1 year ago. Took me a long time to get over that one. As an outdoor enthusiasts myself, I'm sitting here thinking that the only things that might have saved him is if he had been carrying a good ground pad I.e. Thermarest, a sufficiently warm bag, and something to cover up with like a good silnylon tarp. Would that have been sufficient to keep alive until found? Unfortunately, most people embarking on a day hike do not want to carry the extra gear. I don't think firemaking supplies would have been a whole lot of use given his location and conditions. He likely should not hsve been out there at all at that time. Was he lost off trail? Calling 911 at 10 pm puts him out almost 5 hours after he should have returned. Really makes me wonder what went wrong. But, if he at leaat had the ability to stay warm I'm thinking he would have made it. God bless.
I have skied the Head Wall on Mt. Washington a couple of times but only in the first two weeks of April and weather conditions are Sunny and Calm. You can ski all the way down the power line to Route 16. I have never tried marriage or having kids, myself. Hello from Brunswick, Maine, US....
I used to live in Nashua, New Hampshire. For a little while and used to go upstate to Lincoln. Conway all that and in the summer time. Even when the nighttime comes out chilly, it gets down to freezing, let alone in the winter. How bad it is only the best equipped should be out there condolences to. The hiker that passed
First, my condolences to Chris's family. As a novice hiker of good conditions, I have to ask simple questions. Assuming hypothermia, Couldn't he have gone below the tree line? Started a fire? built a shelter? For an experienced hiker to have tragically died like this, I cant imagine how brutal the conditions were. This is very hard for me to understand how this could have happened with his extensive knowledge in hiking the White Mountains. Sad story...
No. He literally could not go below the tree line. He was too injured and/or cold. On top of that ridge there are little to no materials for starting a fire or building a shelter. If given the materials, it's impossible to keep a campfire going in those weather conditions.
I'm not blaming this person. We don't know the circumstances. I can only offer my sincere condolences to the family. I would like people who are contemplating a trek like this so ask themselves, "Am I willing to ask others to give their lives if I need a rescue?"
So many of these stories are to common, Worry about weight and toss any survival to the wind. Common sense needs to make a strong comeback, Prayers for the families.
Thank you for sharing Doug’s life journey with us . Prayers for all family , friends and fellow hikers . Journeyman Jim Petway here , in god we trust amen
I'm so sad for his family and friends. One report I heard said he started out with a group. They decided to turn back because of the conditions but he chose to continue the planned route. What a tragic loss. 🙏
Sad news. Why does it always take a tragedy to prove nature has to mercy? No matter how prepared we think we are or how much experience we have nature will find a weakness and exploit it. Always caution over ambition. Wishing comfort and safe passage.
I don't know why that is. But it is what happens every time. People talk about it for a while, and then seem to forget about it. So I decided to start reporting on it. In that way we can have conversations like this during the short window of public attention.
Many things can go wrong in the mountains. It can be bad enough in summer and is almost always worse in winter. I did an overnight winter solo hike that turned into into 2 nights because of a broken snowshoe. I was getting ready for a third night when I met rescuers who said I was less than 2 miles from the trailhead. We hiked out and got to the road after dark. I'm glad we did because it was rain and drizzle the next day. I'm pretty sure I would have made it out but I would have been wet, cold, hungry and miserable. That happened in the mid 1980s before cell phones, GPS or satellite beacons. I still hike alone.
I’ve been skiing and hiking The Whites in NH for the past 30 years. I am very familiar with Lincoln, NH and many trails in that area. This was a tragic and sad situation. Also, humbling as this could happen to any of us. Sometimes it’s poor judgment , but sometimes it’s an unexpected change in the weather that one may not have anticipated that can mean the difference between life and death. Even if one is fully prepared for the hike. Err on the side of safety - in other words - if uncertain and “doesn’t feel right” - turn around and hike another day.
“Deep Survival”, Laurence Gonzales, provides in depth analysis of who lives, who dies and why. The books' central theme is intellectual: re-writing the mental map. Constant reappraising, monitoring conditions and plan readjustments as necessary. When push comes to shove, you’re ready, you have a new mental map, you've overplanned accordingly. It sounds simple in hindsight, but consider any hiking fatality in the White Mountains that could not have been survived with a better plan.
...listen people weather is no joke...even in above freezing temperature there is risk of hypothermia. ..I say ( at least for myself) don't go into woods below -10C...stay home ( common sense )...I found out when I tried tarp camping in -25C ( in my backyard luckily) my experience was this...very difficult to start fire ( or find firewood ) hands become numb and loose ability ( partial ) in about 1 hour even with good boots/gloves and atire ( so get a fire going within an hour having matches/candle help as lighter ( and your fingers ) go down, 2hours your feet get cold/numb even with fire going it is much colder and dangerous then we believe at about 3 hr. your hands feet start becoming useless ( you may not be even be able to walk out )...kind of what I experienced on that day ( light snow light wind ) on other hand if you are walking/working cold affects you less ( have done 5 km walks in -27 C ) with good clothes ( good winter boots wool socks, scarf etc. ) it is easily done was out in elements 1 hr. 20 min. but remember as time goes on and you are just standing you will eventually die I'd say 3 hours
A heroic effort by the rescuers, who put themselves in a lot of danger trying to rescue him. Very sad story. Sounds like horrific weather conditions. Know your limits and carry emergency gear.
Please do not be overconfident or complacent in the mountains no matter what your experience level is. Pay attention to those tingling Spidey senses. The mountains will always be there for another day.
I agree he was very experienced hiker but was he an experienced winter hiker in the Whites? Did he not have a winter kit with him. I skied this week in central Vermont and it was very cold and also very windy. I have had some crazy times in the area this terrible situation took place. I feel for him, his family and friends.
Doug, this shouldn't happen in 2024. With all the bushcraft videos on UA-cam, nobody should perish in the woods. Your videos can save lives and I thank you for them.
Bushcraft means nothing when you're above treeline in windy winter conditions in the Whites. The worst weather in the Whites can rival anywhere in the world, so unless you're outfitted for the Himalayas, all the gear and experience won't save you if you choose not to turn around in time. Not lecturing, I've hiked the Whites many times in frigid snowstorms, Washington included. My " turnaround switch" is broken, which is why I always hike with slightly more cautious partners.
I wish hikers would never go alone. One could break a leg & need a persons help & you cannot always rely on a cell phone for help because sometimes there is bad or no cell service especially in bad weather or lose it's charge or falls in deep snow or over a cliff & can't be found or broken.
You have to realize when you hike alone in any season, you're gambling with you're life, the odds are lower in good weather conditions and for those who are experienced, in winter those odds increase exponentially for everyone..Those mountains are very dangerous in winter, no matter physical condition or experience levels..SAD..
If experienced should never go above the tree line alone in winter & the weather had been forecast nationwide for severe winter storms especially northern states
I can clearly see your emotions and trying to wrestle with this nonsensical death. Father, husband, very experienced and very, very sad. It should not have happened, yet it did. Why? we can speculate lots of obvious reasons. Blame? No point. Lessoned learned? A hard one, because he was so experienced, but nature cares for no one. I am certain that his confident intentions never anticipated his future predicament, yet there he was knowing he was in trouble and reached out for help. What an awful feeling he must have had when help, though they diligently tried, could not find their way on time. May he rest in peace.
No. Arctic gear would not have guaranteed survival. Yes better gear helps. It doesn't rule out all possibility of injury or death. Bad weather can come up unexpectedly. Tarps and other gear can be blown off the cliff, and you can be, too. People die with all the gear. In another case- One individual was carried through the air and smashed bodily from boulder to boulder. Rescue crews couldn't get there until the weather improved and by that time the person was long gone. Again, I'm talking about a different case, not Roma.
Wht was the cause of death? It seems to me if they are stressing the importance of snowshoes might say something! We were on a trail overnight see a child and father come off trail asked if snowshoes were needed they said no! We still brought them half way up we see they were pot hole wholes all the way up! I don’t care how much experience u have it does not matter
#DougShoeBushcraft Hello Doug For a minute I almost thought your videos are about trying to stop people camping out. Good points you raise. It's not fun that the Body Count among campers is mirroring those climbing mountains. 😭😢
Normally if I am just planning a day hike and I am on the trail later than planned and there is minimal amount of daylight left I always cut the hike short and turn back. It is not worth a fun hike turning into a survival situation.
Does anybody NOT DIE that goes hiking up there in the wintertime? Such beautiful country, yet so deadly unforgiving if you don't know what you're doing.
I hike those exact same mountains alone every weekend of the year. I'm still here, the difference I know I'm not invincible so if I don't feel right about something I will turn around. I carry enough gear to spend the night, multiple methods of fire starting equipment and multiple methods of communication.
Many of us hike up there in the winter. My favorite hikes were in severe weather- negative temps, high winds, snow, etc. I was fit, experienced, prepared... yet I have the common sense to know my "turn-around" switch is busted. That's why I always hike with a slightly more cautious partner. But there are many hikers out there alone in the winter Whites, with more of the necessary caution, having incredible experiences I'm quite jealous of.
No. Typically, by the time a person is "cold" it's already too late. Above the tree line there are little/no materials to make a shelter or make a fire and then keep a fire going. It's also impossible to keep a fire going at that elevation in that weather. Person doesn't have enough strength to get back below the tree line. I don't have much info or all the specifics about this particular case. That's when generally happens, and (IMO based on my experience) that's what happened here.
@@DougShoeBushcraft Yeah harder to start a fire as there is less air I get it.. Plus I've seen lots of videos of guys making a shelter and 'long fires' ...or getting up and jumping up and down ..then going back inside your shelter at minus 30, But at minus 40 with wind chills... Seems like he was caught out...poor fella R.I.P..
@@LastPinster It's different in New Hampshire on those particular ridges of the White Mts. The weather is unexpectedly severe for that elevation as compared to the Rocky Mts etc. It might not seem like much elevation in comparison, but the weather can be deadly.
Could you give us a complete gear list of what he was carrying, and what you feel was missing or inadequate? No? So you're just ASSuming he didn't carry necessary gear, and that it was due to weight issues. It's "funny, but is sad" that people like you are so quick to judge others, especially publicly, where mourning friends and family might come across your insulting garbage.
![Hoboes and Cold Weather! [1930s Travel Tips! ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/otUwqZX2yTk/mqdefault.jpg)
Havent been on Bondcliff Trail since the 1990s but dont even suggest he should have lit a fire up there in a steady 45 mph squall. It aint gonna happen. I live in jackman and have found 2 corpses in Maine and NH Mt since 1986. Even if you have great gear & fitness you can only endure ~ 6 hours of -30 temperature. If you are at altitude and you think weather is trending extreme, you must come down. Accidents happen, you can't take risk. Down down down. Any trip up the hill in winter you must wear wool. Even then when the wind comes you have 6 hours max to come down or find shelter. Jesus, pardonne-nous nos peches, et conduis au ciel toutes les petit ames.
Thank you very much for the quality comment. I hope people listen to you. God bless.
amazing how many people just say "start a fire".....your comments are spot on about getting a fire going in those conditions !
I came up a spot years ago ,one guy who died of hypothermia,little bit similar to this story,3 friends went skiing and hiking,two friends turned around because of bad weather and lived,third friend was found early summer time.
He was a dad and left a young child behind.
Lots of friends know my son and I did a 4 day, 3 night trek in the White Mountains last summer. Back country camping and hiking in solitude - with each other of course. What I might not have shared is that we overdid it and ultimately hiked out to a road where, thanks to a tip from a through-hiker we met, we contacted Rafiki for a ride back to our far away car. The kindest gentleman showed up right away. Dusted me off and restored my confidence which was really rattled. He took the snapshots of my son and me that I posted for friends to see - with our old frame backpacks and our tired faces. Put me back together with such grace - and drove us to our car. The hour we had with the man whose real name was Christopher Owen Roma was unforgettable. He told me some of his inspiring story only because I asked. I recognized it in the details of news reports this weekend that one of New Hampshire’s most expert and most beloved outdoorsmen had died on a trail in the mountains, caught in terrible weather. Don’t judge. This is a man who had done this a thousand times. We are indeed all mortal, with feet of clay. The kindness of this man and the inspiration he gave us helped us see our adventure as a learning journey and a victory. We’ll be back on the trails next summer and meantime will support this GoFundMe for Chris’ son who is only 2. Please consider a gesture of support for Chris and for the humanity which he so warmly gave to me - and in reading about him today I realize for the first time that he gave the same to so many others. www.gofundme.com/f/christopher-roma?fbclid=IwAR0BqbqA1ePI-V2gGEdam3tG1lxM6iRVzWyjjU7K0nHmq4yHoMMfuMadkiQ
This was a beautiful tribute.
Agree, thank you ❤
Thank you!
It’s not about judgement but about making mistakes. I don’t know his equipment but his only chance was make a snow cave to reduce wind chill and a degree or two of temperature. If he did not have cold weather gear nothing would have saved him 🙏🏼🇺🇸
I see a lot of people praying for Chris and his family and other hikers and woods lovers. Let's add the SAR folks, National Guard, and especially Doug to that list! NHFG, too!
Such a sad story. Never hike alone Always be prepared for the weather and the worst
Homeless man here, cant live in the city and be labelled a addict when I dont drink or do drugs. Complex PTSD so the woods are my only option. The advice you give is sound and I appreciate every show I have seen so far. Thank you.....🇨🇦
Hiking alone in them mountains especially in the winter is always a huge risk. Notice that year after year in these tragedies the hiker is almost always alone.The winter temperatures up them mountains are deadly and often unpredictable.
I grew up in Thornton where his mother, Barbara Roma, was an aide at the elementary school. My deepest condolences to his family and R.I.P.
Our mountains don't care how experienced someone is. The best prepared and experienced people are frequently injured or killed precisely because they will push on where others would turn back. I used to tramp these mountains year round and I have had some bad experiences but prevailed fortunately. You mentioned ridges to stay away from, the Castellated Ridge trail comes to mind, or the Knifes Edge Trail over in Maine..
Exactly. A person has to know when to turn back. There are weather conditions where experience will not save you.
Tragic. Doug, you do a good job raising awareness of not just the risks but how to mitigate them. Keep it up.
Phenomenal athlete. And a regional icon. On being prepared: tote it "all", but if too cold to access it, then it serves little-to-no purpose. Once "cold", by then it's typically already too late to course correct, especially if solo. Blesses to all affected by this loss. ☪
Here I am. 21 degrees in N Texas this morning.
Beans and Rice and Jesus Christ 📖
Keep your head on a swivel, and listen to your gut. The chance we take, may not be worth it, esp to those who love us. 😢😢
'Most rescues find people fully prepared; they just had a really bad day.' -NH SAR Volunteer
Stay humble. Be kind.
Hello from Oklahoma! This story illustrates why a Person should always be prepared, even if it's just carrying some fire kit items. I'm an old man now, but I still carry a lighter of some sort, a tube of chapstick, a pocketknife and multitool and dress appropriately for the conditions. I also carry a plastic sack or 2 in my pocket. All this has saved my bacon a few times. It's a sad story RIP. Thanks for posting, we need these reminders.
If there's even a chance of bad weather don't leave the tree line. Big difference between a hiker and a woodsmen. Sad to hear . Always carry what will keep you alive and know how to use it.
Agreed, some emergency fire tinder and ignition sources and he'd still be with us. I hike the Whites every weekend and have learned that most hikers are grossly unprepared. Experienced hiker does not equal experienced woodsman.
@@davem4193 White mountains are absolutely beautiful easy to forget how fast things can go bad. Spent many nights out there all 4 seasons. Stayed away from hiking trails. Certain times of the year food was everywhere. Same with clean water. As kids we would camp with 2 ft of snow on the ground.
@@Rk-mz4bb I've spent many nights camping in the Whites, even in sub-zero temps. It's such a great place to be. I don't blame you for staying away from the hiking trails. I'm local so I know when to hike to avoid the crowds.
@@davem4193 No. It would have been literally impossible for him to save himself with a campfire in that location (on top of that ridge above the tree line in that weather.)
Love to his family and friends without judgment
There should be no judgment for anybody that gets caught in a perilous situation.
No judgment towards him as a human or his character. It is ok to judge ACTIONS, that way we can learn from the mistakes of others rather than make the same mistakes ourselves.
In Norway we have a saying for mountain hikers, "dig yourself down in time"
This is a very sad story. I know Christopher will be greatly missed. He left a valuable lesson for everyone that Doug helps to pass on to us. Thanks to the brave and selfless volunteers who sought to come to his aid. We can learn from all of this. Thanks Doug and God bless Christopher and his family.
If and when you learn more about this tragic event, as to what went wrong, please provide details so we can all learn from it. Thank you to all those who went to his aid and god bless his family.
Sincere condolences to Christopher's family and friends. Doug you have a beautiful empathy; thank you for helping to educate people. I don't tsee how anyone can survive for long in -50 degree wind chill. For search and rescue teams to go out in such freezing cold conditions is extremely arduous and dangerous. They are the bravest of the brave. Many thanks and blessings sent their way .
That's just the thing. On some of those ridges above the tree line, the conditions can be unsurvivable at times.
Single digit temp, windy, hiking solo. There you go.
Cheers Doug, RIP Chris stay safe out there everyone.
Thanks, Paul
Prayers for the deceased, his family & loved ones. In these situations there are always lessons to be learned and I believe you covered that very well. Stay safe.
thank you
Very good Doug. Thank you. This, to me, brings to mind the adage “familiarity breeds contempt “. No matter how experienced you may be, don’t let down your guard.
It can go wrong quick. I tried to camp out during November one time in Michigan and I had to bail the second night there. Weather turned and wind picked up. Luckily there's lots of trail heads in that area to meet someone at. Wasn't the cold that worried me it was the falling trees mainly and the rain.
Rip hiker guy. U went out doing what u do
I often wonder if normalcy bias plays a part in these tragic circumstances. You’ve done similar risky things and it’s always worked out ok-until one day it doesn’t . I am surprised the individual simply didn’t turn back. Knowing the area so well and how dangerous it can be, turning around and going home would seem the logical solution to most of us. Perhaps the belief in skills and ability simply over road common sense. A lesson for us all. Better to retreat and live to try another day. We all are reminded here that rescue isn’t going to be quick in the majority of these instances; make it as easy for those brave people as you can and be prepared to wait it out as you wait for them. May God comfort his family.
I think you are on to something. In many of these cases, the person has gone right to the edge many times and survived. It works until it doesn't.
I was touched by the sensitivity and wisdom that went into this video. You addressed a difficult topic, while honoring the deceased and those who risked their lives to attempt a rescue. I will venture a guess here: hypothermia might have set in before he realized it. It can cause mental confusion even in early stages, which can lead to fatal decisions. Sometimes no amount of experience or equipment can prevent a tragedy.
Thank you Doug for bringing these news events to our attention. Our prayers are with the families who have suffered this loss. Please keep up the encouraging word you bring during times like these!!!!! What you are doing is valuable to those who wish to learn!!!! Blessings Doug!!!
Space blanket
Pastor Doug, thank you bringing this to our attention. prayers for the young hiker's family will be included in our church's prayer concerns. In reality, you are a compassionate on-line pastor to many UA-cam viewers. May God bless you, your family, your viewers, & especially the family of the young hiker. To God be the glory. Pastor George
thank you, Pastor George. God bless
It seems that this is a case of overconfidence and being ill prepared, no one is invincible and becoming overconfident is a sure path to defeat. Always be humble and over prepared and never take chances. A sad story for sure, but it has happened before, and no doubt will happen again.
overconfidence, or injury. or both :( rip
Definitely. There are a lot of very athletic hikers out there who don't pay attention to proper survival gear to bring in winter.
exactly
😢very sad. The weather is unforgiving 😢
Prayers 🙏 for peace, comfort and healing for family and friends ,YAH bless brother !
So I pulled an all nighter . Watched your first two videos and on this 3rd . Love that your just a few hours from Billerica, Ma. , and do your videos in N.H. . I've hiked all the 4,000 plus footers except Washington . Your vids keep me close to N.H. .
Extremely experienced yet still got himself killed..
Thank you for this video, it’s information and message. Prayers and blessings for this individual and their loved ones
I’m surprised he didn’t have an Inreach? I think maybe his was over confident and didn’t think it could happen to him. RIP buddy.
They are really expensive and need a subscription
Prayers to his family, so sad that this happened
Thank you so much, Hank
@@DougShoeBushcraft you're welcome I live in the Great Smoky mountains and with the gear and experience that I have if there's 2 ft of snow or a foot of snow and single digits I don't even bother going out, I've done it before and it is hard
Thanks Doug for your very respectful reporting of this terrible tragedy which has really affected me.
Your story and the quote below "the people we rescue are prepared -- they just had a really bad day" is leading me to re-evaluate my own judgment as to how far to push it.
Again.... But this time with no tragic event.
Three Unprepared hikers were rescued. by NHF&G on Mount Monadnock Friday (evening) 1/19/24. Above the treeline with no flashlights to get back on the trail and -10°F. 😮
Yes. Before I could edit and upload this video, there were 3 people trying to camp above the tree line. I'm planning to report on this incident as well. It proves to me that the word has to get out. I'm not blaming these 3 people. I'm saying that (apparently) they didn't know any better. They didn't know how ridiculously dangerous it was. That means to me- There is a need for education. So thank you and everyone for commenting and participating here. UA-cam is promoting this video over local new channels. The TV news reporting is good, but I haven't been seeing them having much commentary about what the people did wrong, why it's dangerous, etc. Some times they will have a brief blurb by a NH Fish & Game official. So please share this video and others if you can.
Thanks for posting. I believe you had some difficulty with this post like it was close to your heart. I think I would have had some difficulty speaking as well knowing that he leaves a young son behind. I also want to thank you for sharing the Bible passage that suits this post and the warning to be careful. As I sit in my relatively warm home watching the sun rise with freezing weather outside, I can't begin to imagine what it felt like to be in Chris's situation. I pray that his family will have peace and his death will leave a legacy of how even professional hikers can be overwhelmed in bad weather.
rip. Enjoy your life while you can and be aware.
I would definitely question anyone's judgement who's out in that crap alone, without a locator beacon and satellite phone. When conditions get ugly, you hole up with a fire to help you stay warm, conserve your calories, with the smoke marking your location and call for help if you dont have enough food, etc, to last you thru the expected rescue time-frame
It's not so much the lack of locator beacon or being alone, the question I have is why didn't he have fire starting material? That would have saved him.
For that to work, he would have had to stop below the tree line (or not go too far above the tree line, and turn around before he got too cold). As it was, he kept going up until it was impossible for him to get back. There is no / little firewood up on the ridge and in that weather it's literally impossible to keep a fire going long enough to warm up.
@@DougShoeBushcraft then he should never have gone there without adequate food, clothing, shelter, como device or a friend, eh? If somebody jumps off of Niagra falls, naked no gea, what are we to assume except they are suicidal or too stupid to live?
then he should never have gone there without adequate food, clothing, shelter, commo device or a friend, eh? If somebody jumps off of Niagra falls, naked no gear, what are we to assume except they are suicidal or too stupid to live ? You cant fix stupidity.
Really sad story to see such an experienced outdoor enthusiast meet such an end. I watched your comments on Emily Sitelo almost exactly 1 year ago. Took me a long time to get over that one.
As an outdoor enthusiasts myself, I'm sitting here thinking that the only things that might have saved him is if he had been carrying a good ground pad I.e. Thermarest, a sufficiently warm bag, and something to cover up with like a good silnylon tarp. Would that have been sufficient to keep alive until found? Unfortunately, most people embarking on a day hike do not want to carry the extra gear. I don't think firemaking supplies would have been a whole lot of use given his location and conditions. He likely should not hsve been out there at all at that time. Was he lost off trail? Calling 911 at 10 pm puts him out almost 5 hours after he should have returned. Really makes me wonder what went wrong. But, if he at leaat had the ability to stay warm I'm thinking he would have made it.
God bless.
So very sad, Prayers to the family...never underestimate nature, the cold and wilderness will take you
I have skied the Head Wall on Mt. Washington a couple of times but only in the first two weeks of April and weather conditions are Sunny and Calm. You can ski all the way down the power line to Route 16.
I have never tried marriage or having kids, myself.
Hello from Brunswick, Maine, US....
I used to live in Nashua, New Hampshire. For a little while and used to go upstate to Lincoln. Conway all that and in the summer time. Even when the nighttime comes out chilly, it gets down to freezing, let alone in the winter. How bad it is only the best equipped should be out there condolences to. The hiker that passed
First, my condolences to Chris's family. As a novice hiker of good conditions, I have to ask simple questions. Assuming hypothermia, Couldn't he have gone below the tree line? Started a fire? built a shelter? For an experienced hiker to have tragically died like this, I cant imagine how brutal the conditions were. This is very hard for me to understand how this could have happened with his extensive knowledge in hiking the White Mountains. Sad story...
No. He literally could not go below the tree line. He was too injured and/or cold. On top of that ridge there are little to no materials for starting a fire or building a shelter. If given the materials, it's impossible to keep a campfire going in those weather conditions.
No Question That Spot Is What We Call “ No Mans Land” Godspeed Brother Godspeed 💫💫
Wow, thats horrible. Thanks for shedding light on this@@DougShoeBushcraft
I'm not blaming this person. We don't know the circumstances. I can only offer my sincere condolences to the family.
I would like people who are contemplating a trek like this so ask themselves, "Am I willing to ask others to give their lives if I need a rescue?"
God bless Christopher.
Amen
Thanks. Very informative, and love the beautiful message at the end.
Rip Chris god bless Soliman and family amen thanks pastor
thank you, Tom
Wonderful video, well done
Wonderful video, well done.
Hiking Pierce on Thursday solo. First high peak in the Whites.
So many of these stories are to common, Worry about weight and toss any survival to the wind. Common sense needs to make a strong comeback, Prayers for the families.
Thank you for sharing Doug’s life journey with us . Prayers for all family , friends and fellow hikers . Journeyman Jim Petway here , in god we trust amen
I'm so sad for his family and friends. One report I heard said he started out with a group. They decided to turn back because of the conditions but he chose to continue the planned route. What a tragic loss. 🙏
Thanks for your coverage on this tragedy, and your wisdom.
Praying 🙏 for the hiker and family!
Prayers to his family...be safe out there people...woods
Sad news. Why does it always take a tragedy to prove nature has to mercy? No matter how prepared we think we are or how much experience we have nature will find a weakness and exploit it. Always caution over ambition. Wishing comfort and safe passage.
I don't know why that is. But it is what happens every time. People talk about it for a while, and then seem to forget about it. So I decided to start reporting on it. In that way we can have conversations like this during the short window of public attention.
@@DougShoeBushcraft Thank you for your effort and concern about fellow hikers. Best wishes.
Condolences to the family
We are. Not bullet proof some time
got know when to pull the plug🎉
So sad Doug. May God Bless You All.
Condolences to all involved and affected…..very sad
Comforting words and sage advice. GRHS.
Thank You, I am in S. California so not familiar with your area. I appreciate your efforts to inform people. Peace & Namaste~🕉
It's a sad situation. Things might have turned out differently with a tent, sleeping bag, and a reliable mountain stove.
Adding my prayers.
Thx for the update. Take good care of yourself n hope all others going out take care as well.
Many things can go wrong in the mountains. It can be bad enough in summer and is almost always worse in winter. I did an overnight winter solo hike that turned into into 2 nights because of a broken snowshoe. I was getting ready for a third night when I met rescuers who said I was less than 2 miles from the trailhead. We hiked out and got to the road after dark. I'm glad we did because it was rain and drizzle the next day. I'm pretty sure I would have made it out but I would have been wet, cold, hungry and miserable. That happened in the mid 1980s before cell phones, GPS or satellite beacons. I still hike alone.
Exploring nature and the beautiful scenery, solitude, peace and quiet can be rewarding. But nature can also be brutal and unforgiving.
Prayers for the Family ,Rip
I’ve been skiing and hiking The Whites in NH for the past 30 years. I am very familiar with Lincoln, NH and many trails in that area. This was a tragic and sad situation. Also, humbling as this could happen to any of us. Sometimes it’s poor judgment , but sometimes it’s an unexpected change in the weather that one may not have anticipated that can mean the difference between life and death. Even if one is fully prepared for the hike. Err on the side of safety - in other words - if uncertain and “doesn’t feel right” - turn around and hike another day.
Thank you for sharing this. Such a tragic loss.
“Deep Survival”, Laurence Gonzales, provides in depth analysis of who lives, who dies and why. The books' central theme is intellectual: re-writing the mental map. Constant reappraising, monitoring conditions and plan readjustments as necessary. When push comes to shove, you’re ready, you have a new mental map, you've overplanned accordingly. It sounds simple in hindsight, but consider any hiking fatality in the White Mountains that could not have been survived with a better plan.
...listen people weather is no joke...even in above freezing temperature there is risk of hypothermia. ..I say ( at least for myself) don't go into woods below -10C...stay home ( common sense )...I found out when I tried tarp camping in -25C ( in my backyard luckily) my experience was this...very difficult to start fire ( or find firewood ) hands become numb and loose ability ( partial ) in about 1 hour even with good boots/gloves and atire ( so get a fire going within an hour having matches/candle help as lighter ( and your fingers ) go down, 2hours your feet get cold/numb even with fire going it is much colder and dangerous then we believe at about 3 hr. your hands feet start becoming useless ( you may not be even be able to walk out )...kind of what I experienced on that day ( light snow light wind ) on other hand if you are walking/working cold affects you less ( have done 5 km walks in -27 C ) with good clothes ( good winter boots wool socks, scarf etc. ) it is easily done was out in elements 1 hr. 20 min. but remember as time goes on and you are just standing you will eventually die I'd say 3 hours
A heroic effort by the rescuers, who put themselves in a lot of danger trying to rescue him. Very sad story. Sounds like horrific weather conditions. Know your limits and carry emergency gear.
Amen.
Please do not be overconfident or complacent in the mountains no matter what your experience level is. Pay attention to those tingling Spidey senses. The mountains will always be there for another day.
I agree he was very experienced hiker but was he an experienced winter hiker in the Whites? Did he not have a winter kit with him. I skied this week in central Vermont and it was very cold and also very windy. I have had some crazy times in the area this terrible situation took place. I feel for him, his family and friends.
Doug, this shouldn't happen in 2024. With all the bushcraft videos on UA-cam, nobody should perish in the woods. Your videos can save lives and I thank you for them.
Bushcraft means nothing when you're above treeline in windy winter conditions in the Whites. The worst weather in the Whites can rival anywhere in the world, so unless you're outfitted for the Himalayas, all the gear and experience won't save you if you choose not to turn around in time. Not lecturing, I've hiked the Whites many times in frigid snowstorms, Washington included. My " turnaround switch" is broken, which is why I always hike with slightly more cautious partners.
It might be 2024, but wild nature si still just as unforgiving today as it was 100 years ago. Ignore that fact at your peril!
I wish hikers would never go alone. One could break a leg & need a persons help & you cannot always rely on a cell phone for help because sometimes there is bad or no cell service especially in bad weather or lose it's charge or falls in deep snow or over a cliff & can't be found or broken.
Did the hiker possibly confuse Winter with Summer? Word on the street was, be prepared for the cold.
You have to realize when you hike alone in any season, you're gambling with you're life, the odds are lower in good weather conditions and for those who are experienced, in winter those odds increase exponentially for everyone..Those mountains are very dangerous in winter, no matter physical condition or experience levels..SAD..
People need to realize that they are not invincible! A triple crowner should have enough sense to turn back!!
If experienced should never go above the tree line alone in winter & the weather had been forecast nationwide for severe winter storms especially northern states
Sometimes the situation is impossible maybe nothing could have been done to save himself .
Amen, brother. Earned a sub.
I can clearly see your emotions and trying to wrestle with this nonsensical death. Father, husband, very experienced and very, very sad. It should not have happened, yet it did. Why? we can speculate lots of obvious reasons. Blame? No point. Lessoned learned? A hard one, because he was so experienced, but nature cares for no one. I am certain that his confident intentions never anticipated his future predicament, yet there he was knowing he was in trouble and reached out for help. What an awful feeling he must have had when help, though they diligently tried, could not find their way on time. May he rest in peace.
1. Arctic gear -60-degree rating and the tarps he would have survived easy.
No. Arctic gear would not have guaranteed survival. Yes better gear helps. It doesn't rule out all possibility of injury or death. Bad weather can come up unexpectedly. Tarps and other gear can be blown off the cliff, and you can be, too. People die with all the gear. In another case- One individual was carried through the air and smashed bodily from boulder to boulder. Rescue crews couldn't get there until the weather improved and by that time the person was long gone. Again, I'm talking about a different case, not Roma.
Wht was the cause of death? It seems to me if they are stressing the importance of snowshoes might say something! We were on a trail overnight see a child and father come off trail asked if snowshoes were needed they said no! We still brought them half way up we see they were pot hole wholes all the way up! I don’t care how much experience u have it does not matter
#DougShoeBushcraft
Hello Doug
For a minute I almost thought your videos are about trying to stop people camping out.
Good points you raise.
It's not fun that the Body Count among campers is mirroring those climbing mountains.
😭😢
Normally if I am just planning a day hike and I am on the trail later than planned and there is minimal amount of daylight left I always cut the hike short and turn back. It is not worth a fun hike turning into a survival situation.
Isn’t good underestimate cold weather, that could happen to anybody .
It appears his vast experience led to overconfidence. He was with others who turned back due to conditions but he carried on.
It really is a shame that these things aren't surprising when they happen .
Does anybody NOT DIE that goes hiking up there in the wintertime? Such beautiful country, yet so deadly unforgiving if you don't know what you're doing.
I hike those exact same mountains alone every weekend of the year. I'm still here, the difference I know I'm not invincible so if I don't feel right about something I will turn around. I carry enough gear to spend the night, multiple methods of fire starting equipment and multiple methods of communication.
Many of us hike up there in the winter. My favorite hikes were in severe weather- negative temps, high winds, snow, etc. I was fit, experienced, prepared... yet I have the common sense to know my "turn-around" switch is busted. That's why I always hike with a slightly more cautious partner. But there are many hikers out there alone in the winter Whites, with more of the necessary caution, having incredible experiences I'm quite jealous of.
I don't know why this has really bothered so much since I've heard about this...to the point of dreaming about it happening to me...
There is absolutely no reason to be in the woods in those conditions. This was suicide by stupidity.
Wasn't he able to take shelter and then make a fire?
Saying that at those temperatures all he would have to do is fall asleep and the fire goes out..
No. Typically, by the time a person is "cold" it's already too late. Above the tree line there are little/no materials to make a shelter or make a fire and then keep a fire going. It's also impossible to keep a fire going at that elevation in that weather. Person doesn't have enough strength to get back below the tree line. I don't have much info or all the specifics about this particular case. That's when generally happens, and (IMO based on my experience) that's what happened here.
@@DougShoeBushcraft Yeah harder to start a fire as there is less air I get it..
Plus I've seen lots of videos of guys making a shelter and 'long fires' ...or getting up and jumping up and down ..then going back inside your shelter at minus 30,
But at minus 40 with wind chills...
Seems like he was caught out...poor fella R.I.P..
@@LastPinster It's different in New Hampshire on those particular ridges of the White Mts. The weather is unexpectedly severe for that elevation as compared to the Rocky Mts etc. It might not seem like much elevation in comparison, but the weather can be deadly.
Guyot is pronounced Gee-Yow : ua-cam.com/video/zrt8WDL8868/v-deo.html
These modern hikers who dont carry gear bc its to heavy are all a recipie for disaster 😂 its funny but is sad but thier own doing
Could you give us a complete gear list of what he was carrying, and what you feel was missing or inadequate? No? So you're just ASSuming he didn't carry necessary gear, and that it was due to weight issues. It's "funny, but is sad" that people like you are so quick to judge others, especially publicly, where mourning friends and family might come across your insulting garbage.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank you Doug for your valuable contribution to the community at large 🫂❤️🙏🏽