‘Woefully unprepared’ hiker refused to leave Sno-Cat atop Mt. Washington

Snow covers Mount Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 as seen from Bartlett, N.H. 

Snow covers Mount Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 as seen from Bartlett, N.H.  Associated Press file photo

Monitor staff

Published: 11-27-2024 9:44 AM

An unprepared hiker from Virginia who “forced his way into a State Parks Sno-Cat vehicle and refused to get out when requested” at the summit of Mount Washington on Tuesday morning, leading to “a brief altercation,” will be asked to pay for the cost of his rescue, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game. 

The hiker, identified as Tristan James Murrin, 27, of Virginia Beach, had hiked up to the summit with his dog but did not want to hike back down due to bad weather. Staff ultimately decided to drive the hiker down to the base where they were met by Fish and Game conservation officers.

Murrin, who had been hiking various mountains in the Northeast had called the summit on Monday and inquired about hiking, according to Fish and Game. 

“He was advised by the staff that due to the inclement weather, it was not advisable to hike. James Murrin did not take this advice and instead chose to hike with the intention of trying to ‘beat the storm,’” the department said in a press statement. 

Murrin started his hike up Tuckerman Ravine Trail at 5 a.m. and made it to the summit around 11 a.m. but was “woefully unprepared for the summit conditions and had a large dog with him that had to be factored into the rescue situation.”

Fish and game said Murrin “refused to cooperate any further with the Conservation Officers conducting the interview and chose to walk back to his vehicle parked at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center from the base of the Auto Road.

“Due to all the applicable information provided, lack of preparedness, and unwillingness to initially cooperate with State Park personnel, James Murrin will be recommended to receive a bill for the cost of this rescue.”

 

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