May 6, 2015
PRESS RELEASE
HIKER SAFETY
The Vermont State Police, in cooperation with the Green Mountain Club and their agency
partners, would like to remind those heading out onto Vermont's hiking trails of the ever
changing conditions a hiker may encounter this time of year, especially at higher elevations. As
you follow trails into the mountains you can find yourself hiking in snow again despite green
grass at the trailhead. Spring showers at lower elevations can turn into an all-too-familiar wintry
mix of snow, sleet and rain in the hills. The long-lasting snowpack at higher elevation keeps the
air temperatures cool, soaks your boots, and can make the trails very difficult to follow.
If hiking at higher elevations, it's important that spring hikers continue to be prepared for winter
conditions. Waterproof boots (not sneakers), extra layers of warm clothes, a headlamp, map and
compass may become necessary for a safe and successful hike. Consider turning around when
you hit snowpack if you are not properly equipped or if travel and route finding becomes more
difficult.
Neil Van Dyke, Search and Rescue Coordinator for the Vermont Dept. of Public Safety reports
that there were several search and rescue incidents last spring involving hikers who were not
properly prepared for the conditions they found at higher elevations. These situations could have
been avoided by simply turning around when snowy, icy conditions were encountered.
A recent rescue on the Long Trail in Peru, Vermont, highlighted these concerns when hikers
called 911 reporting that they had become stuck in waist-deep snow, and were unable to keep
hiking. Fortunately, the hikers were able to provide first responders with GPS coordinates, and
seven rescuers were able to reach the hikers, provide them with snowshoes, and guide them
down the mountain without incident.
Officials from the Vermont State Police, Green Mountain Club, Vermont Forests, Parks and
Recreation and the Green Mountain National Forest encourage you to stay safe while enjoying
the beginning of hiking season, by being careful as you climb higher into the mountains where
spring may not have arrived yet. Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation reminds hikers that
trails on State land above 2500’ in elevation remain closed until Memorial Day.
For more information on this topic, please contact the agency representatives listed below:
Contacts:
Vermont Dept. of Public Safety:
Waterman 802-241-5277
Green Mountain Club:
Green Mountain National Forest:
Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation:
Neil VanDyke - 802-241-5656 / Scott
Pete Antos-Ketcham - 802-241-8217
Ethan Ready - 802-747-6760
Jessica Savage – 802-249-1230
Scott Waterman
Vermont State Police Public Information Officer
Scott.waterman@state.vt.us
Desk 802-241-5277
Cell 802-279-4554
Twitter @VSP_PIO