N.H. plans to bill group of unprepared 18-year-old hikers who had to be rescued

New Hampshire Fish and Game plans to bill four 18-year-old hikers who had to be rescued in Franconia Friday, officials said.

Around 8:45 p.m. Friday, New Hampshire Fish and Game received a report that four hikers were stuck on Franconia Ridge, the department said in a press release. 

One hiker was having difficulty breathing and had sore legs, officials said. The group did not have lights, were low on water and food, and were not dressed for the strong winds and cold temperature, the department said.

A rescue team hiked 4.2 miles over three hours to the hikers, whom they reached at 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, officials said. 

The team gave the hikers lights, food, water, and warm clothing before guiding them to the trailhead, to which they arrived at 9:07 a.m, officials said. 

The rescue was paid for by the New Hampshire Hike Safe Card and the Search and Rescue Fund. New Hampshire Fish and Game intends to bill the four hikers from New Jersey for “due to [their] lack of preparation” for a 7 to 9 hour hike at 3:30 p.m., officials said.