Background
White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) attracts nearly 1.7 million visitors annually and contains New Hampshire’s tallest mountain, Mount Washington (6288 feet), which has claimed over 140 lives. Despite educational campaigns that aim to increase the preparedness of outdoor recreationalists, numerous search and rescue (SAR) missions costing over $250,000 are required annually in New Hampshire.
Objective
Describe the preparedness of winter recreationalists in WMNF, focusing on level of experience, use of emergency gear, and reliance on technology, with the aim of better targeting interventions to reduce injury and SAR events.
Methods
A cross-sectional convenience survey was administered in March 2017 at Pinkham Notch in WMNF. It contained 32 items relating to demographics, wilderness/medical experience, emergency gear, and reliance on technology. Adult skiers, splitboarders, hikers, and climbers comprised the study group.
Results
One hundred forty-eight individuals completed the survey (88% response rate). The majority (57%) were skiers, and the most common age group was 20 to 29 years old (51%). Fourteen percent of individuals carried all 10 essential items, and 63% carried 7 or more essential items. The most common reasons for omitting these essentials were as follows: deemed not necessary (62%), others group members carried them (26%), or forgotten (10%). Eighty-seven percent of individuals carried technological devices, including 72% with cell phones, 27% with avalanche transceivers, and 7% with satellite messengers. Twenty-three percent had previously used a technological device for rescue, and 60% had no backup plan if their technological devices failed.
Conclusions
Although the preparedness of winter recreationalists in WMNF is highly variable, on average it remains low. Most notably, many individuals rely heavily on technological devices and lack essential gear for emergencies. Although limited experience and high cost of equipment are likely partly responsible for this, aiming educational interventions at these groups may help increase preparedness and reduce SAR events in the future.