The 21-year-old hiker fell off the path close to the summit of Mount Marcy and was unable to make her means again up.
Mount Marcy (Photograph: kevstewa / iStock by way of Getty)
Up to date February 18, 2026 03:31PM
An skilled hiker handed away from hypothermia on New York’s highest peak final week after falling from the path in inclement climate, state authorities mentioned.
The hiker, since recognized as 21-year-old Brianna L. Mohr of New Jersey, set out on February 12 to climb 5,343-foot Mount Marcy. A spokesperson for New York’s Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) informed the Adirondack Explorer that Mohr referred to as 911 at 3:05 p.m. to report that she had slipped off the path close to the mountain’s summit and was unable to make it again up with out help.
Rangers from the DEC and plane from the New York State Police responded, however heavy clouds made it unattainable for aerial groups to find the lacking hiker. Ultimately one of many rangers within the state police helicopter started ascending in the direction of the summit on foot from the Marcy Dam Outpost, a 5.1-mile hike with 3,000 toes of elevation acquire. The ranger situated Mohr’s physique close to the summit shortly earlier than 10 p.m. Climate knowledge from the close by Lake Placid Airport, which at 1,795 toes is greater than 3,000 toes decrease than the summit, confirmed a temperature of -2 Fahrenheit at the moment. Search groups recovered Mohr the next day.
In an announcement, the New York State Police mentioned that an post-mortem performed by Dr. Michael Sikirica of the Glens Fall Hospital discovered that Mohr had died of hypothermia.
Positioned within the Adirondacks, Mount Marcy is a well-liked goal for hikers. Information collected by the Adirondack Mountain Membership in 2017 discovered that roughly 70,000 individuals used the height’s trailhead that 12 months. The most typical route that hikers take to the summit entails a 14.8-mile out-and-back journey by way of moist and rugged terrain. The mountain’s uncovered peak can expertise frigid, icy, and lethal situations in winter, and has been the positioning of a lot of high-profile rescues over time. In March 2024, rangers rescued a 33-year-old New York Metropolis man who had grow to be misplaced in a snowstorm whereas descending from the height; by the point they reached him, he was affected by hypothermia and frostbite.
An Instagram account below Mohr’s title reveals her making frequent journeys to the mountains, together with in winter situations. On the time of the incident, she had been mountaineering with a canine, which rescuers efficiently situated and recovered unhurt. A GoFundMe to boost cash for Mohr’s funeral bills had raised practically $13,000 out of a objective of $22,000 as of the time of writing.
