Woman, 33, Slips and Injures Leg While Hiking Alone. Then Rescuers Carried Her for Over 4 Miles

Mar. 15, 2025

Mount Lafayette, the ninth highest peak in the White Mountains is seen from Franconia, New Hampshire.Photo:Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty

Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty

In a news release, theNew Hampshire Fish and Game Departmentsaid they received an alert approximately 1:45 p.m.on Saturday, Oct. 12 about an injured hiker — later identified as Anna Meier, 33 – between Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette on the Franconia Ridge Trail.

According to the department, Meier was planning a solo hike of the 9-mile Falling Waters/Old Bridle Path Loop. She left at about 8. a.m. and summited Little Haystack and Mount Lincoln on Franconia Ridge.

However, upon her descent from Mount Lincoln towards Mount Lafayette, Meier slipped and injured her lower leg, authorities said. She realized that she would not be able to finish hiking the 4.2 miles to the trailhead. Passing hikers called 911 on Meier’s behalf as her cell phone service wasn’t fully working.

Due to traffic conditions on I-93, the first rescuers had difficulty going up the trail until about 3 p.m., New Hampshire Fish and Game said.

Meanwhile, an Appalachian Mountain Club crew of two located Meier at about 5 p.m. They brought her to a sheltered area and put her in a sleeping bag before the rescue team’s arrival about an hour later.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

At the time of her rescue, Meier had trouble staying warm as she experienced temperatures in the 30s with winds measuring between 60 and 80 mph, authorities said.

At about 6:20, per New Hampshire Fish and Game, about 25 rescuers helped carry Meier on the 4.2-mile journey to the trailhead, They took a break at Appalachian Mountain Club Greenleaf Hut around 9 p.m. before finally arriving at the trailhead in the early morning hours of Oct. 13. Once there, Meier was transported to have her injured leg evaluated.

But, as the website points out, “the trail from Mount Lafayette to Mount Lincoln to Little Haystack is the most exposed, most beautiful, and most dangerous part of the hike. Although it looks like a straight route from here, the trail dips and climbs more than it appears to.”

source: people.com