CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Sgt. Matthew Holmes
603-788-4850
603-271-3361
August 21, 2025
Sargent’s Purchase, NH – On the morning of Wednesday, August 20, 2025, personnel from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and New Hampshire Fish and Game Department worked together to ensure that a sick hiker made it safely off Mt. Washington.
At 8:00 a.m., Conservation Officers received notification from AMC that there was a sick hiker at the Hermit Lake Shelter. The hiker had been evaluated and provided first aid by the Hermit Lake caretaker but was still experiencing symptoms that would make it unsafe to hike down to the trailhead without assistance. Based on this information, Conservation Officers asked AMC to continue monitoring the hiker and relayed that they would respond to the shelter with ATVs.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., Conservation Officers arrived at Hermit Lake on ATVs. The hiker was placed on an ATV and driven down the Sherburne Ski Trail to the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, arriving there safely at 11:00 a.m. Once on the roadside, the hiker was given a ride to Memorial Hospital in North Conway for further evaluation and treatment.
The hiker was identified as William Robertson, 66, of Houston, TX. Robertson and his hiking companion had been in the mountains for multiple days and were well prepared for their expedition. Robertson was very thankful for the assistance in getting safely out of the woods and off the mountain.
Conservation Officers would like to thank the many people who make search and rescue missions such a success in the State of New Hampshire. Because of the volunteers and people who legitimately care, visitors to the backcountry areas of our State have great resources when they need them the most.