A hiker died yesterday on Mt. Washington. The 46 year old solo hiker had ascended Mt. Washington earlier in the day and sometime between 7 and 8PM he fell down Tuckerman Ravine. Rescue team got to him at 2AM coming up from Pinkham Notch. The day had been windy--40-50mph-- but relatively mild.

That's all the detail we know at this time. Also, we don't know who contacted SAR or how they knew someone had fallen. Perhaps folks were camping at Hermit Lake Shelters.

I find it strange that he was at the top of Tuckerman two to three hours after dark by himself. I say that as someone who is too often out alone after dark, but not up there, where the trails can be very difficult to follow in the daytime because of the every present white outs and just lack of definition in the whiteness. He was still hours from the trail head in the best of circumstances. My guess is that he got lost and stumbled on the steep headwall as he was looking for the trail.

This is very sad. My heart goes out to his family and friends.