New Hampshire Fish and Game to Bill Unprepared Hikers Rescued from Franconia Ridge
Four 18-year-old hikers from New Jersey—Jainam Bhavsar, Purva Jayani, Tirth Shah, and Advik Yadav—will be charged for the cost of their rescue from Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire. The hikers began a 7-9 hour trek on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. without adequate preparation, lacking food, water, headlamps, and appropriate clothing for the conditions. By shortly before 9 p.m., the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was notified that the group was stranded, with one hiker experiencing sore legs and difficulty breathing. Due to strong winds and cold temperatures at high elevations in the White Mountains, volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team initiated a rescue operation at approximately 10:35 p.m., locating the hikers on Mount Lincoln at 1:15 a.m. Saturday. The hikers were provided with necessary supplies and guided down the mountain, arriving at the trailhead at 9:07 a.m. 
