New Jersey Hiker Dies on Mount Marcy
A 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey died after slipping off the trail near the summit of Mount Marcy, New York's highest peak, succumbing to the cold after surviving the initial fall. The tragedy occurred during winter conditions on the 5,344-foot Adirondack peak. A Connecticut Boy Scout was also rescued from Mount Washington after suffering an allergic reaction during a hike.
- The 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey called 911 on Thursday, February 12, 2026, after slipping off the trail near the summit of Mount Marcy. She was hiking with her dog at the time. - Rescue efforts were hampered by heavy cloud cover, which prevented a State Police helicopter from spotting the hiker. A forest ranger was dropped at Marcy Dam and had to hike approximately 5.1 miles and ascend nearly 3,000 feet to reach her last known location. - By the time a ranger reached the hiker at 9:51 p.m., she had succumbed to the cold. Temperatures in the area were in the teens and had dropped to single digits by that evening, with even colder wind chills at higher elevations. The hiker's dog was found alive and hiked out to safety by the rangers. - Mount Marcy's summit is known for its extreme winter weather, which can include deep snow, high winds, and low visibility. A hidden danger in the deep snowpack are "spruce traps," which are deep pockets of air around tree branches that can be difficult to see. - The incident on Mount Marcy was not the only recent tragedy in the Adirondacks; a 52-year-old skier died at Whiteface Mountain on January 24 after hitting a tree, and another skier also died at Whiteface on February 4. Additionally, 60 to 70 skiers were trapped on a broken gondola at Gore Mountain for hours on February 4. - On Mount Washington, known for its severe weather, a 15-year-old Boy Scout was rescued on Sunday after suffering a significant allergic reaction near the summit. A snowcat was used to transport him down the mountain. - Unpreparedness is a significant issue for hikers on Mount Washington. In a separate incident in October 2025, twenty hikers had to be rescued by the Mount Washington Cog Railway after being caught in windy, snowy conditions. Many were suffering from hypothermia and were not equipped with proper winter gear. - Over 150 hikers have died on Mount Washington since record-keeping began in 1849. Rescues are common, with an average of 25 people requiring assistance each year on the mountain.
