Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship by Tom Ryan is published by William Morrow. It tells the story of my adventures with Atticus M. Finch, a little dog of some distinction. You can also find our column in the NorthCountry News.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Two Men Missing On Mt. Lafayette

As of the latest report two hours ago in the Union Leader news- paper things aren’t looking good for two men who appear to be lost during a climb up Mt. Lafayette yesterday. Here’s the latest posting on the unionleader.com website…


Two NH men missing in frigid weather on Mount Lafayette
By LORNA COLQUHOUN

New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent FRANCONIA – More than two dozen searchers and a helicopter are searching Mount Lafayette in treacherous conditions this afternoon for two men who did not return from a day hike yesterday.

Laurence 'Fred' Frederickson, 55, of South Sutton and James Osborne, 36, of Manchester, left Franconia Notch yesterday morning for a day hike to the 5,249-foot summit of Mount Lafayette, according to Fish and Game Lt. Todd Bogardus.

The pair went up the Falling Waters trail, planning to go across the ridge and down via the Bridle Path. A co-worker reported one of them as missing this morning and a
search began at about 11 a.m.Bogardus said there has been no contact with the men and officials don't know how well prepared they may be. Frederickson is believed to have winter hiking experience, Bogardus said, but it may be Osborne's first winter hike.

At about 4:30 today, conditions on the mountain were treacherous, Bogardus said. "There are sub-zero temperatures and there are 60-plus mph winds, with freezing fog," he said. Searchers have not made it to the ridge and a helicopter from the Army National Guard has been brought in to assist in the search.

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