The body of Christopher Roma, a 37-year-old experienced hiker from Thornton, New Hampshire, was discovered dead on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, near Mount Guyot in the White Mountains.
New Hampshire Fish and Game confirmed Roma had been reported missing earlier that week, with the search beginning in earnest after his relatives raised the alarm.
Relatives contacted emergency services late Tuesday evening, January 16, after a conversation with Roma via cellphone. He reported being in distress near Mount Bond, Lincoln, New Hampshire. Roma himself eventually made a 911 call, with his coordinates traced to an area between Mount Bond and Mount Guyot.
In his call, Roma indicated he was suffering from severe cold, but the call was abruptly cut off.
The rescue operation, initiated early Wednesday morning, faced severe weather conditions. Teams struggled through waist-deep snow, battling heavy winds and snow above the treeline.
These conditions necessitated assistance from the New Hampshire Army National Guard. Despite their efforts, three helicopter attempts by the Guard were hindered by low visibility and dense cloud cover, preventing access to Mount Guyot.
It was late Wednesday afternoon when a team from the Mountain Rescue Service reached Roma. Unfortunately, they found the hiker dead. A helicopter recovery of his body was successfully conducted on Thursday, January 18.
Roma was renowned for his hiking prowess, having completed the “Triple Crown” of hiking – the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Appalachian Trail. He was also the founder of the Northeast Trekking Company, a guiding service. After recovering from a bad motorcycle accident ten years ago that broke his neck and ribs Roma dedicated himself to hiking, according to his father.
Roma’s sister, Megan, spoke about her brother’s passion for outdoor adventures. She described him as deeply caring about others, always aiming to positively impact their lives through hiking and profound conversations. His dedication to outdoor activities was rooted in a lifetime of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and hiking.
Following the incident, a GoFundMe page established for Roma’s family, including his two-year-old son, has raised over $75,000. The page honors Roma, stating, “While his family and friends are devastated by this loss, we find comfort knowing that he died doing what he loved.”