CONTACT:
Lt. James Kneeland
603-744-5470
July 12, 2019
Goshen, NH – On July 12, 2019 at 11:30 AM, Conservation Officers were notified of a missing 11-year-old on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail. A camp counselor leading a group of campers from the Farm and Wilderness Camp of Plymouth, Vermont, reported that an 11-year-old member of the hiking group had gone missing when he ran off from the group earlier that morning. The group of seven campers and two counselors had spent the night at the Steve Galpin Shelter at Moose Lookout. As the group prepared for a third day of hiking, the 11-year-old took off from the group when he went to change into dry clothes. After attempting to locate the missing hiker with no success it was decided that one of the counselors would hike four miles to Pillsbury State Park Headquarters in Washington to report the incident.
Conservation Officers responded to Pillsbury State Park and were able to utilize ATVs to get close to the shelter where the group was waiting for assistance. At 3:10 PM, word was relayed that the missing hiker had returned to the group at approximately 2:30 PM. All members of the hiking party were escorted back to Park Headquarters where they were met by staff from the Farm and Wilderness Camp to be taken back to Vermont.
It was learned from the 11-year-old that he no longer wanted to continue with the hike and spend another night in the woods as they still had two days left with the planned hike. The group had planned accordingly with proper equipment but had not looked at a weather forecast which predicted rain in the area through Thursday night.
Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase a Hike Safe card at wildnh.com/safe. The card helps support Fish and Game search and rescue activities. For safe hiking tips and a list of essential gear, visit hikesafe.com.