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Tragic End for Hiker in Unexpected White Mountains Winter
22 Apr
Summary
- A 61-year-old hiker from Massachusetts was found deceased on the Kinsman Pond Trail.
- The hiker was unprepared for unseasonably cold temperatures and snowfall.
- Six hikers needed rescue in the White Mountains recently due to unpreparedness.
A tragic discovery was made in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, where a 61-year-old hiker from Massachusetts was found deceased. Kent Wood of West Roxbury had been reported missing after embarking on a hike on Saturday, April 18, 2026, following a camping trip to Lafayette Campground. His family alerted authorities on Monday, April 20, 2026, after losing contact.
A search operation located Wood approximately 5 1/2 miles up the Kinsman Pond Trail. Investigations revealed that Wood was not adequately prepared for the winter-like conditions that struck the region over the weekend, including several inches of snow and unseasonably cold temperatures.
This incident underscores a concerning trend in the White Mountains. In the week preceding Wood's discovery, six other hikers had to be rescued. These individuals also faced difficulties due to unexpected winter weather conditions common at higher elevations, even in early spring.
