SARGENTS PURCHASE, N.H. (WHDH) – More than 20 hikers had to be taken down by the Cog Railway from the Summit of Mount Washington Saturday after they were surprised by snowfall and strong winds, according to Andy Vilaine, Assistant General Manager of the Cog Railway.

In a post on social media, Vilaine said many of the hikers, “were hypothermic and without gear even near suitable for the conditions. Most had no idea that Summit services would be unavailable and that the state park was closed for the season. A few indicated it was their first hike ever.”

With the wind chill factored in, the temperature was around five degrees below zero at the time.

“A couple of the individuals were pretty far along, they were violently shivering in the confusion state. Others were almost getting to that s

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