Bean’s Purchase – A group of hikers activated their emergency beacon while also calling 911 after a member of their party started exhibiting signs of possible cold weather symptoms.  The group had just started to descend the Black Angel Trail from the Carter Dome Trail and were approximately 5 miles in from Route 16 when the call for help went out.

The group of five were on the second day of a planned three day hike starting from Bog Brook in Jackson Saturday morning.  The group hiked Bog Brook Trail, Rainbow Trail to the Carter Dome Trail.  They had just started down Black Angel Trail when they made the call.  In addition to the one hiker’s unspecified condition, a drop in temperature combined with the wet clothing and steep terrain precipitated the call for help.

NH Fish & Game Conservation Officers and volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search & Rescue responded to the call.

The group of hikers identified as Vaiva Snapkauskaite, 23, of Lake Forest, Ca, Abigail Taussig, 23, of Cambridge, MA, Alexander Quinn, 24, of Cambridge, MA, Katherine Steinberg, 24, of Boston, MA, and Amanda Farnsworth, 23, of North Kingston, RI attempted to stay warm in their wet sleeping bags, but the exposure at the high elevation, just made them colder.  There was not enough cell phone coverage to hold a call, but a Fish and Game Conservation Officer was able establish contact via text.

After being told that it would be several hours before rescuers would be able to reach them, the hikers heeded the advice given to them and began to move and were able to make it back up to the ridge onto the Carter Dome Trail.  From there they made it to Zeta Path where they were met by the first of several rescuers.

Rescuers provided the group with hot drinks and warm clothes and guided them down to the 19 Mile Brook Trail and eventually out to Route 16 in Green’s Grant.  The hikers and rescue crew made it out shortly after 11:00 p.m.  The hikers suffered no adverse medical effects from the cold and after proper hydration and continuing movement, were able to make it down with little assistance.

In the span of a couple days, the weather in the higher terrain has changed from summer to winter conditions.  There is now several inches to several feet of snow in the higher elevations.  Hikers who plan to continue hiking are reminded to plan for winter conditions by having the proper equipment and training to be able to safely complete their hike and need to pay attention to the weather and summit conditions and alter plans if conditions are not ideal.

Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase a Hike Safe card at wildnh.com/safe.  The card helps support Fish and Game search and rescue activities.

OSSIPEE – The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is reminding motorists that the demolition and slide-in replacement of the Bearcamp River Bridge in Ossipee will begin on Friday, October 16th, 2020 at 6 pm.  This project will require the closure of NH Route 16 at the Bearcamp River for three days.

NH Route 16 will be closed to all traffic at the Bearcamp River area between Newman Drew Road and Nichols Road. This closure is necessary for the demolition of the existing bridge, the slide in of the new bridge, and all additional work required to re-open the bridge and roadway. The scheduled target time for bridge and roadway to re-open is Tuesday, October 20th at 6:00 am.  A webcam will live stream project progress of the work during the three days and nights of construction.

To accommodate this project, there will be a detour in place for motorists traveling to and from destinations outside of this closure. Motorists are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and to use the roads detailed here: https://www.nh.gov/dot/projects/ossipee14749/documents/14749_pip_07192016_detour.pdf.  NH Route 16 will be open to all local businesses and residents and for motorists traveling to destinations in the immediate area of the road closure.

This work is part of a project that consists of the replacement of three bridges (Lovell River, Bearcamp River, and Bearcamp Relief), and 3.5 miles of roadway reconstruction on NH Route 16.

Reed and Reed General Contractors of Woolwich, Maine is the contractor for the $16.9 million project.

Picture courtesy of Mt. Washington Radio Group: At the 2019 Granite Mikes; (From Left to Right) Gino Devaney, Christian Mower, and Tony Zore

Just this morning the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters had their annual Granite Mikes presentation. Due to COVID-19 the ceremony was broadcast virtually via ZOOM. Every year the radio and television broadcasters from all over New Hampshire get together to discuss the industry and recognize those who have done outstanding work in their field.

2020 proved to be a challenging year for all but despite that, Mount Washington Radio was still nominated for numerous awards and once again earned a few.

First, our Afternoon Community Connections Show; Drive Time: A Valley Update on COVID 19 featuring Memorial Hospital won a Merit Award for “NH’s Best Local Special Program/Event”.

Next, our sister station Magic 104 was awarded “NH’s Best Use of Digital Media” for their collaboration with Sea Dog Brewery and the Conway Area Humane Society; Sea Dog to the Rescue.

And last but certainly not least, Magic 104’s Gino and The Magic Morning Show was awarded “NH’s Best Morning Show“. This is Gino’s second time winning this award, the first time was back in 2017.

“The Best Morning Show category is not an easy award to win once, let alone twice, and we could not be more proud of Gino and his show,” says Mount Washington Radio Owner and General Manager Greg Frizzell, “We see all the hard work that goes into creating the morning show each day and we are so happy that it was once again recognized on a state level.”

Click the link to read the Official Press Release; NHAB – 2020 – Granite Mic Awards Press Release and to view the “Virtual Award Ceremony” click below!

Skip to 13:35 for the Best Morning Show Award, 16:35 for the Best Use of Digital Media Award, and 17:55 for the Merit Award for Local Special Program/Event.