A devoted hiker lost his life in a fall onto the ice during an outdoor adventure in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Christopher Huyler, age 44 from Littleton, entered Coppermine Trail on Nov. 22 but never returned home to begin a large-scale rescue.
Solo Adventure Turns Tragic
Huyler is an experienced outdoorsman who had started hiking to survey ski glade conditions in preparation for the upcoming winter season. His hike took him through the difficult middle CannonBall area by way of Coppermine Brook Valley, a section of the state park known for both its beauty and challenging trails.
By 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Huyler had called his wife to say he was on his way home. But when he failed to show up, his wife called authorities. It wasn’t hard for Franconia Police to find his car at the trailhead. A rescue effort under the direction of New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers was underway.
Search in Difficult Conditions
The search kicked off late on Friday night, with rescue teams battling unfavorable winter conditions, including ice and steep terrain. Their efforts took them off the marked trail, necessitating bushwhacking through dense vegetation. Shortly before 1:00 a.m., the search teams found Huyler’s body at an elevation of 2,800 feet and realized he had fallen considerably down an iced-over slide.
In all, 22 rescuers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team assisted in the recovery effort. Early Saturday morning, the team began an arduous 3.2-mile carryout of Huyler’s body and were back at the trailhead at 9:00 a.m. where the assistant medical examiner met them.
Safety Reminders for Winter Hikers
Huyler was characterized as a serious outdoors person who hiked New Hampshire’s White Mountains frequently. Police said he was appropriately equipped for the day’s hike, with microspikes and carrying adequate gear for the conditions.
For the hikers, winter preparedness officials emphasized the need to always carry important safety items such as maps, compasses, extra warm clothing, food, and water, along with emergency supplies. This incident also underlines the basic hazards of icy, unpredictable mountain terrain when hiking.
Preliminary indications are that an autopsy will be performed to ascertain the exact cause of Huyler’s death. This tragedy has served as a grim reminder of how unforgiving nature can be to even seasoned adventurers.
