By Christopher Jensen
A 17-year-old Canadian man rescued Thursday evening in the White Mountains is likely to be billed for the cost of saving him, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.
The man, identified as Xusheng Wang of Toronto, ignored the advice of officials from the Appalachian Mountain Club and Fish and Game not to attempt a 35-mile, four-day hike, said Lt. James Kneeland, of Fish and Game.
”On the first day of the hike (Thursday) he made it only 2.6 miles up the trail and became wet and cold. When he couldn’t operate his stove or set up his tent he called for assistance fearing that he would not be able to keep warm or rehydrate himself,” Kneeland said in a news release.
He called for help about 6:30 from the Liberty Spring Trail in Lincoln. Rescuers reached him at about 10 p.m. and by 1 a.m. Friday he was at the Flume.
Kneeland said he had the appropriate winter equipment but “lacked the hiking experience to complete the hike solo.”
The cost is expected to be about $1,300, Kneeland said.