WASHINGTON, New Hampshire – A 72-year-old hiker was found dead on the Gulfside Trail on Mount Washington around 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning. According to New Hampshire Fish & Game, the man was found about 425 feet north of the cog railway tracks and about a half-mile from the summit.

The cog railway was called for assistance and offered a train and personnel for recovery. The Fish and Game Department, New Hampshire State Police and Twin Mountain Fire Department arrived at the scene. The body was transported by train to the base station and then taken to the State Medical Examiners Officer in Concord.

The hiker’s name is not being released at this time because his family has not yet been notified, but the man was 72 years old and from Virginia. He was wearing jeans, a navy blue raincoat, brown hiking boots and a small blue backpack. It appears the man was unprepared for the conditions on the mountain.

The exact cause of death is not yet known, but it appears that the man took the train up the mountain on Wednesday, August 21, and attempted to descend the mountain on foot. During the hike, he apparently succumbed to the effects of environmental factors.

“As a reminder, weather conditions on the summits remain cold, wet, and windy. These are ideal conditions for hypothermia and other weather-related injuries. Be sure to check the Mount Washington Observatory weather forecast before heading out.“ – Fish and game from New Hampshire

Anyone who may have had contact with a person matching the description of this man is asked to call State Police Troop F at (603) 846-3333 or email Lieutenant Mark Ober at [email protected].