Two hikers were rescued from Katahdin after facing extreme weather Wednesday afternoon.
The two men, Dakota Cunningham, 35, of Richmond, Virginia, and Sean Rowan, 35, of Chesterfield, Virginia, were cleared to climb and left the Chimney Pond Campground at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Conditions worsened during their ascent, and by 2 p.m., they were confronted with a severe thunderstorm, according to Baxter State Park Director Kevin Adam.
The hikers were caught in the storm on a section of the mountain known as the “Flat Iron,” which is a difficult climb even for expert hikers.
As the storm worsened into rain, hail, high winds and lighting, Cunningham and Rowan became hypothermic and dehydrated. Park rangers were notified at around 3:44 p.m. of the hikers’ situation, and were able to communicate with the men over text message.
A Maine Army National Guard helicopter was commissioned to assist with getting the hikers off the mountain, but was delayed in reaching Cunningham and Rowan because of heavy cloud cover.
Thirteen people, including wilderness rescuers and guides, prepared to hike out of Chimney Pond in the morning when conditions improved.
At around 6:45 a.m. Thursday morning, the Maine Army National Guard search crew located the hikers, and airlifted them off the mountain. They were taken to the Millinocket Regional Hospital for necessary treatment.
Park visitors are encouraged to check Baxter State Park’s daily weather forecast when planning a hike, as well as staying aware that temperatures and conditions can change rapidly as you ascend the mountain.
