Patrick B. is a 28-year-old from Portland, Maine.
On December 18, 2024, he set out alone to hike Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, planning to catch the sunrise from the summit.
During the night, things went sideways.
Temperatures dropped into the 20s with winds exceeding 30 mph.
Snow squalls reduced visibility to near zero.
Several feet of blowing snow covered the trail markers.
When Patrick tried to retreat, he lost the trail and ended up 1,000 feet off-course in the Dry Brook drainage area.
By 8:15 a.m. on December 19, the situation was critical.
He managed to call 911 and relay the terrifying news…
His limbs were frozen, he was hypothermic, and he could no longer move through the deep snow.
Conservation officers and rescue volunteers began climbing toward him around 10 a.m.
Because of the thick vegetation and steep terrain, it took them over an hour just to bushwhack 1,000 feet to reach his location.
A NH Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter arrived but was forced to wait at Cannon Mountain due to poor visibility.
After four hours of waiting, he was rescued.
The entire operation took less than 90 seconds.
Patrick learned that when you’re fighting hypothermia in the wilderness, having the right gear is the difference between rescue and tragedy.
As winter conditions intensify across the country, understanding how to prevent hypothermia could save your life or someone you love.
Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing your core temperature to drop below 95°F.
What many people don’t realize is that you don’t need sub-zero temperatures to die from hypothermia.
Most cases happen in temperatures between 30-50°F, especially when combined with wind, rain, or wet clothing.
So, here are the most critical things you need to know about preventing hypothermia while outdoors.
Layer system keeps you alive:
The three-layer clothing system creates a survival barrier between you and the elements.
Your base layer wicks moisture away from your skin.
The middle insulating layer traps warm air close to your body.
The outer shell layer blocks wind and precipitation.
This system allows you to add or remove layers as your activity level changes, preventing the deadly combination of sweat-soaked clothing and cold weather.
Patrick didn’t have proper layering, and once his core temperature dropped, he couldn’t generate enough heat to recover.
Emergency shelter provides critical protection:
Carrying an emergency shelter like a space blanket or bivvy sack gives you a fighting chance when conditions deteriorate.
These lightweight items create a barrier against wind and precipitation, allowing your body heat to accumulate rather than dissipate into the environment.
Once he stopped moving and lost the trail, he had no way to conserve the heat his body was producing.
A simple $10 space blanket could have helped him stay warm much longer while waiting for rescue.
Recognition saves lives:
Knowing the early symptoms of hypothermia means you can act before it’s too late.
Early signs include intense shivering, difficulty with fine motor skills, confusion, and poor decision-making.
By the time Patrick called 911, his condition had progressed to the point where his limbs were frozen, and he couldn’t move.
At that stage, self-rescue becomes impossible.
Recognizing symptoms early and taking immediate action (putting on dry clothes, eating high-calorie food, creating shelter) can prevent progression to severe hypothermia.
Drawbacks:
Weight and Bulk:
Carrying proper cold-weather gear adds significant weight to your pack.
A full winter layering system, emergency shelter, extra food, and backup heat sources can add 5-10 pounds to your load.
This creates a temptation to leave items behind, especially on “short” day hikes.
But emergencies don’t announce themselves in advance.
The solution is accepting that winter hiking requires more gear and planning shorter routes to accommodate the extra weight.
False sense of security:
Having gear doesn’t guarantee survival if you don’t know how to use it properly.
Many hikers carry space blankets but have never practiced deploying them in wind or figuring out how to secure them in place.
Solo hiking multiplies risk:
Hiking alone in winter conditions means that no one can help if you become incapacitated.
Bittman was lucky his cell phone worked at his elevation. In many mountain areas, there’s no signal.
If you’re going solo, tell someone your exact route and expected time of return.
Carry a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach or Zoleo as backup.
Here are the essential items for preventing hypothermia outdoors:
Emergency Shelter
Carry at least two forms of emergency shelter.
A mylar space blanket should be in every pack.
Add a lightweight emergency bivvy for extended protection.
Layering System
Invest in proper base layers (merino wool or synthetic), an insulating layer (down or synthetic puffy jacket), and a waterproof/breathable shell.
Keep at least one extra layer in your pack that stays dry.
This is your emergency layer that you never wear until you need it.
Fire-Starting capability
Carry multiple fire-starting methods: waterproof matches, a lighter, and a ferro rod.
Keep them in a waterproof container.
Fire provides warmth, helps dry your wet clothing, and gives a psychological boost during an emergency.
High-Calorie emergency food
Pack extra food beyond what you need for your planned hike.
Your body burns massive calories fighting cold.
Energy bars, nuts, chocolate, and other calorie-dense foods can fuel your internal furnace when you need it most.
Winter hiking offers incredible beauty and solitude, but it demands respect and preparation.
Patrick survived because he had a charged cell phone and rescuers arrived during a 90-second weather window.
Most people aren’t that lucky.
And you can’t rely on luck…
Instead, carry the gear that keeps you alive when conditions turn deadly.
