(CNN) — An experienced hiker in New Hampshire’s White Mountains died after making a May Day call saying he was “very cold” and his body was retrieved by helicopter amid severe winter conditions, authorities said.
Christopher Roma, 37, made a mayday call to acquaintances Tuesday night, the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game said in a news release Thursday. Acquaintances called 911.
New Hampshire Game and Fish Department agents were notified of the hiker’s condition near Mount Bond in Lincoln at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to a news release.
“Ultimately, the hiker contacted NH 911, and coordinates were obtained that placed the hiker between Mount Bond and Mount Guyot,” the statement said.
Before the call was disconnected, Roma said he was “very cold” amid high winds, frigid temperatures and snow, according to the statement.
According to the statement, the first rescuers left around 2:00 a.m. Wednesday.
However, rescue efforts were slowed as rescuers had to wade through “waist-deep snow” and strong winds. In turn, the New Hampshire National Guard was contacted to rescue the hiker by helicopter.
“Throughout the day, the New Hampshire National Guard conducted three separate flights into the Lincoln area, but due to low clouds and poor visibility, they were never able to reach Mount Guyot,” the statement said. “By early afternoon, ground crews had not yet reached the subject.”
The Mountain Rescue Service team reached the hiker at 05:00 pm, but found him dead.
“It was decided that all rescuers would leave the mountain for the night and an extraction would be planned for the next morning,” according to the statement.
On Thursday, ground teams attempted to access the area by another route and the National Guard attempted an aerial recovery.
“The cloud ceiling lifted slightly overnight, allowing the National Guard access to Mount Guyot,” the statement said. “The helicopter was able to land and recover the body of the deceased hiker around 8:30 a.m.”
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