ALEXANDRIA, N.H. — A 62-year-old Grafton woman was injured Monday afternoon while hiking Mount Cardigan, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Stephanie Pluhar was hiking down the Manning Trail in Alexandria, N.H., a little before 2:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon when she fell and injured her leg, preventing her from walking further. She fell just past the summit of Firescrew, about 1.7 miles from the Cardigan Mountain AMC Lodge.
Other passing hikers used their cellphone to call for assistance, and gave Pluhar some extra food and clothing to keep her comfortable while she waited for rescuers to arrive.
Responders from the Alexandria Fire Department, Bristol (N.H.) Fire Department, and Bridgewater (N.H.) Fire Department arrived at 4:30 p.m. A conservation officer and members of the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team joined them in helping to bring Pluhar to the trailhead at about 8 p.m. Then, the Bristol Fire Department took Pluhar to Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth, N.H. for further evaluation of her injury.
New Hampshire Fish and Game suggests hikers pack 10 essential items: map; compass; warm clothing; extra food and water; headlamp; fire starter; first-aid kit; whistle; rain jackets and pants; and a knife. More information is online at hikesafe.com.