A hiker from Greenfield was rescued on North Pack Monadnock when he lost his balance on slippery trails, leading to a coordinated rescue operation by multiple agencies. The incident occurred on January 4, around 12:30 p.m., when Greg Austin, a 54-year-old experienced hiker, had just begun his descent from the summit of the mountain with his group.

Austin’s situation became critical when he slipped on icy sections of the Wapack Trail and sustained an injury to his leg, which prevented him from proceeding further. His wife contacted emergency services upon realizing the severity of his condition. GPS data from the emergency call indicated that the group was positioned approximately 1.2 miles from the Mountain Road trailhead.

The rescue involved various emergency response teams, including conservation officers and crews from surrounding towns such as Greenfield, Peterborough, Lyndeborough, and Wilton. After providing initial care to Austin at the scene, rescuers carefully secured him in a stretcher and began the arduous task of lowering him down the mountain, which was complicated by treacherous icy patches requiring the use of ropes.

After several hours of careful navigation, the team successfully arrived at the Mountain Road parking area around 3:30 p.m. Austin was then transferred to Wilton Ambulance for transport to Monadnock Community Hospital, where his injuries were identified as serious but not life-threatening.

New Hampshire Fish and Game took the opportunity to remind outdoor enthusiasts about the rapid changes in winter conditions and emphasized the importance of preparation before entering backcountry areas. They also suggested that hikers consider acquiring a Hike Safe Card to help support search and rescue efforts across the state.