21-Year-Old Hiker Dies of Hypothermia on New York's Mount Marcy

Rescue efforts hampered by poor weather conditions on state's tallest peak

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey died near the summit of New York's Mount Marcy after slipping off the trail and becoming stranded in the snow, according to state environmental officials. The hiker called 911 for help but poor weather conditions prevented a helicopter rescue, and a ground search by a forest ranger found the hiker dead from hypothermia several hours later.

Why it matters

Hiking in the Adirondacks can be treacherous, especially in winter, and this tragic incident highlights the dangers that even experienced hikers can face from sudden changes in weather and terrain. The challenges faced by rescue teams also underscore the importance of proper preparation and caution when venturing into remote wilderness areas.

The details

The 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey reportedly slipped off the trail on Mount Marcy, New York's tallest peak, and became stranded in the snow. She called 911 for help, but a State Police helicopter was unable to spot her due to clouds shrouding the summit. A forest ranger began a ground search from the Marcy Dam outpost about five miles and 3,000 feet below the summit, but the hiker was found dead from hypothermia several hours later.

  • The 911 call from the hiker was placed around 3pm on Thursday.
  • The forest ranger began the ground search shortly after 6pm on Thursday.
  • The hiker was found dead at 9:51pm on Thursday.
  • Poor weather delayed the recovery of the hiker's body until Friday morning.

The players

21-year-old hiker

A 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey who died of hypothermia after slipping off the trail on Mount Marcy.

State Police

The State Police helicopter was unable to spot the hiker due to poor weather conditions.

Forest ranger

A forest ranger began a ground search for the hiker from the Marcy Dam outpost, about five miles and 3,000 feet below the summit.

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What they’re saying

“She succumbed to hypothermia after falling off the trail and lying in the snow.”

— Relative of the hiker (Reddit)

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of proper preparation, caution, and vigilance when hiking in remote wilderness areas, especially during the winter months when weather conditions can change rapidly and pose serious risks to even experienced hikers.