In the Cold, a Community Responds: Gould Academy Faculty Lead Search & Rescue of Lost Teen in Grafton Notch

“It was raw that day — rain, sleet, snow. Easy to get turned around up there this time of year,” Hayward said.  The call came through Oxford County dispatch at approximately 1:30 p.m and within an hour, Hayward had assembled a four-person response team — all certified search and rescue professionals, and all colleagues at Gould Academy, a private boarding school in Bethel, Maine. Joining Hayward were Billy Ayotte, Director of the Gould Academy’s IDEAS Center; Bob Baribeau, Head Tennis Coach & former Director of Mahoosuc Mountain Search and Rescue; and Jerry Bernier, Director of Buildings & Grounds, and Assistant Director of Mahoosuc Mountain Search and Rescue. Each brought deep knowledge of the local terrain and decades of field experience.

By 3:30 p.m., armed with GPS coordinates and a carefully mapped route to avoid deep snowfields and unstable footing, the team began their ascent into the Grafton wilderness. Weather was deteriorating, with biting wind and mixed precipitation. “Conditions weren’t ideal,” Hayward admitted. “But we had precise coordinates for where she was located and had been instructed to stay put in her sleeping bag until rescue arrived. That helped immensely.”

Approximately two hours later, around 6:15 p.m., they reached the hiker. Cold, shaken, but mobile, she was relieved to see familiar faces in the woods. The team assessed her condition, provided snowshoes and extra encouragement, and began the careful descent.

“She was strong — mentally and physically,” said Ayotte. “She’d done the right things: stayed in place, made the call, conserved energy. It certainly helped our mission to bring her out safely.”  Upon returning to the trailhead at approximately 8:30 p.m., five hours after setting out, a medical evaluation was offered as standard protocol. After consulting with the hiker and her parents, it was determined that no medical attention was necessary. Though tired and chilled, she was in good health and able to walk out under her own power.

This successful rescue was not unusual for Mahoosuc Mountain Search and Rescue, a volunteer organization made up of seasoned professionals committed to backcountry safety in western Maine. That all four rescuers were also Gould Academy faculty is no coincidence.  “Wilderness competence is part of who we are,” Hayward said. “It’s built into our culture — training students to think critically, adapt, and look out for each other.”

For the student rescued — and her family — these skills and dedication meant the difference between isolation and safe return. For the team, it was another example of preparation, local knowledge, and community coming together when it mattered most.

 

 

Mahoosuc Mountain Search and Rescue (MMSAR) has been serving the western Maine and northern New Hampshire backcountry for over 40 years. The team is composed of approximately 100 volunteer members, with 24 to 30 highly active responders who answer an average of 12 to 15 callouts each year. 

Members include EMTs, registered nurses, mountain guides, wilderness instructors, outdoor educators, and other community leaders passionate about safety, service, and backcountry rescue. Chris Hayward, current Director of MMSAR and a faculty member at Gould Academy, has been an active member since 1998.