YOUR COMMENTS

I am familiar with the details of this story - they let people know where they were going, how they were getting there, and when they should be back. They were equipped and prepared to spend the night. They had a map and a compass and used them. When they reached the final river and realized that they couldn't safely cross they decided to hunker down for the night since it was getting dark (they also had headlamps and flashlights but realized it would be safer to travel by daylight) and the water would be going down as time went by after the rain stopped. The two hikers had devised a plan to rescue themselves but needed daylight to implement.

When they didn't return well past their expected arrival time the police and the Fish and Game were notified. The people that responded that night and then gathered the following morning to conduct the search were nothing short of extraordinary - both those that are paid and those that volunteer. There were several friends of the hikers there (one a trained wilderness responder) but the Fish and Game asked them not to go in and try to find them since no one knew what to expect. The teams then went in and found the hikers before they had a chance to begin their own self-rescue and assisted them in getting to the other side of the river.

The idea of charging them for this search and rescue is puzzling to me - the hikers did what they should have done when they realized that they weren't going to be able to cross the river and their friends did what they should have done when they didn't return in time (as opposed to rushing in at midnight and perhaps requiring a rescue themselves). Should the Fish and Game operations be better funded - absolutely. Should the volunteers who do this type of stuff because they think it is the right thing to do be recognized - definitely since they are true heroes because they aren't in it for the glory and it isn't their job. But to blame and then charge two well-prepared and experienced hikers who made the correct choices when faced with risky situations doesn't make sense to me. If you want to keep the mountains safe for everyone then charge everyone that uses them an access fee, with the monies going to maintain the mountains and the trails as well as funding the ranger services and the search and rescue operations.

A less popular idea would be to have someone stand guard at the trailhead - they would only allow those that were well-prepared to access the mountains, but once on the mountain they were on their own and would have to rescue themselves. Those that show up wearing flip-flops and jeans while carrying nothing but a camera and a small bottle of water (a VERY common site in the summer, even on serious mountains like Washington, Katahdin, and Mansfield) would be told to go home or buy "rescue insurance" to fund their inevitable rescue.
- Louis Ville, Lowell, MA

I know one if the hikers- she is very experienced, knows the area trails, and I know that she most likely was packed to stay the night if need be or find another way out.
- DM, Claremont, NH

Are they going to pay for this?
- Bob, Salem

Hi Betty, Sugar Hill, Old blue is not a Bloodhound, it is a bluetick hound. I should know, I sold Ray that dog a couple years ago. I sold him as a coon hound, Ray was convinced he could convert him into a search and rescue dog. Which he has done. You are right about feeding him, thing eats like a horse
- Billy, Franconia

With all do respect, the weather forcast clearly called for 2-3 inches of rain on Saturday; that is flash flood potential. Knowing the remoteness of the location, the fact that it is crisscrossed by brooks that are bound to become impassable with that much runoff, my opinion is that it wasn't a smart choice to go on Saturday. Irresponsible? Probably not.
- Mike, Whitefield

Ray, Franconia, I hear you and your bloodhound "old Blue" had a pretty busy day yesterday. I really think it a shame that the other rescue orginizations don't reconize you for all your efforts. I also know you say a" thank you" is all the reward you need, but If F&G is gonna collect monies in the form of fines from these people you certainly should be privy to some of those proceeds. After all, you have expenses yourself and I'm sure Blue is not a cheap critter to keep fed.
- Betty, Sugar Hill

Under no circumstances is my family to call for help if I don't return on time. I don't want the cost or my name in the paper.

These gals were prepared to spend the night in the woods and the temperatures were well above freezing so they should have been left alone. Heck it is the so called wilderness area! They had other options to get around the high water if they had a map and compas with them. Whoever called for their rescue should pay for it if these gals don't want to pay.

Good luck to eveyrone and I hope I never ever need to be rescued when I am out dancing on mountains in the rain and snow!
- Annie, Henniker

One thing that is nice but goes relatively unnoticed is that state fish and game conservation officers (lowly paid professionals) and volunteers joined in the search and rescue operation. It is too bad that a "thank you" is not extended to these folks who risked their lives and gave of their time to effect the search and rescue. Probably, the next round of personnel and budget cuts will be services like these. Oh yes, but hire a grossly over-paid, do nothing political appointee to replace the CO's and volunteers.
- Gary L. Kerr, Chichester

Ray from Franconia,
It was very humbling serving with you on this particular mission. I commend you for your planning, leadership, and eventual safe outcome. I appreciate your kind words trying to calm me when we had that sudden surge of water. I will be proud to say that I was by your side last time.
- Frank, Woodstock (somewhere near woodstock station)

"Doesn't really seem to matter in NH if you are prepared or not.
- Lyle, Croswell, MI"

Actually it does matter, Lyle. These hikers won't be charged because they are a lot smarter than the average out-of-stater in need of rescue.
- Jim, Manchester

Our family with 2 girls (ages 10 & 13) did the same trip in one day in August in ideal conditions but it was still a challenge with brook-crossings, non-maintained sections and blow-downs. The loose talus slide on Owls Head Path is also hazardous and no doubt if one in our group had fallen and had to be rescued we would have been criticized by arm chair warriors, but by good fortune we had a great hike and a deeply meaningful experience for our young daughters. These hikers gave an itinerary to friends, had equipment in case they were delayed, and didn't simply sit down and use their cell phone because they were tired. I’m glad they got out safely.
- Bob Leet, Brentwood

Sounds like a rescue bill will be forthcoming from NH Fish and Game.
- Chris, Bow

Clearly the nattering nabobs that say you shouldn't hike in the rain are individuals who haven't done much hiking.
- mike, cornish

Now all they have to do is sit back and wait for the bill. Should be what? Only about 8 or 9 thousand since no helicopters were involved. Doesn't really seem to matter in NH if you are prepared or not.
- Lyle, Croswell, MI

Let's see now, the weather is predicted to be sunshine with zero percent chance of precipitation..... not good for hiking.

Today's weather calls for wind swept rains and wind gusts topping 40 mph.....great day for hiking.

You decide!
- Harry, Atkinson

Here's to another Successful search and Rescue operation. Things could have turned out a whole lot different if the weather had turned worst then it did. The hikers themselfs were in decent shape also, which helps in the rescue operation. It can be back breaking work when you're called on to haul an unfit, downed hiker out of a remote area such as the Owl's head. Kutos to all my fellow search and rescue brothers and sisters. We can all be proud of Another job well done.
- Ray, Franconia

..."The heavy rains were predicted and with the number of brook crossings, they should have been cautious about the possibility of high water,"

setting the stage for sending them a bill I'm sure.
- Paul, Cntr Conway

Doesn't anyone have the common sense to check the weather forecast before hiking??
It was very clear on Friday that a lot of rain was going to fall on Saturday!
- Jack, Concord

This is a story of how to be a responsible hiker. I have been in this area at high water and it was very smart for them to hunker down and wait for the water level to go down. I bet they didn't expect to be rescued.
- TC, littleton

Everyone who hikes Owlshead knows about the possibility of high water at these crossings and is prepared to deal with it. These hikers made the right choices. I'm sure the couch potatoes will be out in force to criticize them for hiking in the rain, though.
- Craig L, Bartlett