First Responders Battled Dehydration in Grueling Rescue of Woman on Hunger Mountain

From Stowe Mountain Rescue

July 8, 2025 - Another long litter carry last night. This one a little easier - gravity was our friend as we lowered the litter, instead of hauling it uphill. A woman had hurt her hip up high on Hunger Mountain and found herself unable to walk. It was Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team’s call and we joined them to provide the rope belay and help move the litter.

The heat was a challenging factor as we hiked up to the subject. Rescuer after rescuer arrived on scene drenched in sweat. Once we got the subject loaded into the litter it was smooth sailing for the bulk of the way down, though it was a multi-hour carry and the ride got bumpier as we started to tire. One rescuer had created a water cache on the way up that we fell on gratefully when we came to it. We carry a lot of water, but many of us blew through our own supplies with the heat and the exertion.

Given how dehydrated we got, it seems appropriate to mention that you should always carry more water than you think you’ll use – we did that yesterday and still ran dry. We typically carry a means of purifying water on the hoof – either a chemical tablet or a handheld water filter. Keep in mind that in the summer streams run dry, so you can’t always rely on finding a water source.

Great to be back out with Waterbury Backcountry – our teams work beautifully together and it’s always a joy to be in the field with them.