AP
A group of campers from Quebec, Canada, pack up their sleeping gear after spending a night on a ledge on Tumbledown Mountain, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, near Weld, Maine. Mount Blue, a 3,192-foot peak, stands in the distance. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Maine Warden Service was called to rescue hikers on the Appalachian Trail and Tumbledown Mountain this weekend.
According to state officials, a family of five from New Jersey was rescued after climbing to the summit of Tumbledown on Saturday, then struggling to find the trailhead in the snow and ice. The family called 911 for help Saturday evening.
A family and a hiker are safe after Maine Game Wardens and first responders executed two rescues in freezing temperatures Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Maine Game Wardens Called to Rescue Hikers
Maine Game Wardens said Christopher Lebel could have died if they had not rescued him.
Officials said Lebel fell into water while he was hiking south on the trail in Township E. He was not able to start a fire or get his clothes dry and became hypothermic, said officials.
A friend called 911 after Lebel Lebel texted around 9:30 pm.
Wardens found Lebel in the woods and started a fire. He was unable to walk. Lebel walked out with Maine Game Wardens around 4:30 am Sunday morning after warming up.
Game Wardens cautioned hikers to wear the appropriate clothing and gear for the conditions. They said Lebel was not dressed for the environment, and he probably would not have survived without their help.
Weekend Rescues Prompt Winter Weather Reminder to Hikers
The Warden Service is cautioning hikers to be prepared for winter weather, after two rescues over the weekend.
One rescue involved an Appalachian Trail hiker who wardens say probably wouldn t have survived the night, due to hypothermia. 38-year-old Christopher Lebel of Phippsburg was hiking on the trail with his dog on Saturday when, about four miles into his trip, he fell into the water. Lebel changed his clothes, but wardens say he was unable to get warm. He became hypothermic with below-freezing temperatures, windy conditions, and ice and snow on the ground. Lebel texted a friend that he needed help and they called 911 just before 10:00 Saturday night.