Who is Madison Saltsburg? Skier Dead on Mt Washington In New Hampshire

A backcountry skier who tragically lost her life on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington due to icy conditions has been identified as Madison Saltsburg.

The incident occurred Saturday in the Tuckerman Ravine, a popular area for backcountry skiers.

Madison Saltsburg fell about 600 vertical feet (183 meters) on Saturday afternoon in very steep terrain and hard, icy conditions.

She was with two other people when things went completely awry.

During the rescue efforts, which extended through a stormy night and into Sunday morning, the two other people were rescued.

These two individuals sustained injuries but are expected to survive.

The U.S. Forest Service identified the skier who passed away as Madison Saltsburg.

“The snow rangers and emergency personnel were up there late last night. They’re exhausted,” said Colleen Mainville, a spokesperson with the U.S. Forest Service.

She said conditions in the ravine were icy.

The rescuers also battled through snow and winds.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, predicting up to 1 foot (30 centimeters) of heavy, wet snow and strong winds.

Mount Washington, known for its fickle weather, is the tallest mountain in the Northeast and has a history of frequent rescues.

Hiker Rescued from Ammonoosuc Ravine on Mt. Washington

Indeed, a day before this rescue, New Hampshire Fish and Game reported that a 23-year-old hiker from Kentucky had been rescued after going off trail and into the Ammonoosuc Ravine.

The hiker “fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic,” the agency said in a statement.

The full statement read: “At approximately 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2024, 23-year-old Joabe Barbosa of Georgetown, Kentucky, was hiking Mount Washington when he went off trail and into the Ammonoosuc Ravine. While descending into the ravine, Barbosa fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic.

Barbosa called 911 and requested help. This call was sent to a Conservation Officer along with the GPS coordinates of Barbosa’s location. The coordinates showed Barbosa well off trail in a drainage ravine alongside one of the tributaries of the Ammonoosuc River, north of the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail at approximately 3,600 feet in elevation.

Barbosa was located by Conservation Officers and a Volunteer EMT from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue at 10:29 p.m.

He was given boots, food, warm drink, proper winter gear, and a headlamp. He was then escorted back to the trail and then to the Cog Railway parking pot.

The rescue crew arrived at the Cog Railway base station at 1:39 a.m. Friday morning, March 8, 2024. Twin Mountain Ambulance was at the Base Station and provided initial treatment to Barbosa for his injuries.

Barbosa was transported to Littleton Regional Health Care in Littleton by Twin Mountain Ambulance for treatment.

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