Hiker Rescued from Mount Washington Amid Extreme Winter Conditions

A 22-year-old hiker, Cole Matthes, was saved from life-threatening conditions on Mount Washington after an 11-hour rescue operation involving the Cog Railway.

Cole Matthes, a 22-year-old engineer from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, embarked on a hike on Mount Washington but was underprepared for the harsh winter conditions.
Matthes slid hundreds of feet down a ravine, prompting a rescue mission that lasted 11 hours and utilized the mountain's famed Cog Railway.
Rescuers criticized Matthes for making 'numerous poor decisions' and not heeding advice to turn back, putting both his life and the lives of the rescuers at risk.
Despite suffering from hypothermia and frostbite, Matthes refused ambulance service to the hospital after the rescue, citing cost concerns.
New Hampshire Fish and Game highlighted Matthes's lack of proper gear and planning, and is considering whether to recover rescue costs due to perceived negligence.