A 61-year-old hiker from Boston, Kent Wood, was found dead April 21 in a remote section of the Kinsman Pond Trail, about 5.5 miles from his vehicle, after being reported missing when he did not return from a hike that began on April 17.

A search operation began Tuesday morning and located Wood just before 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

Officials say Wood prepared for warmer weather, but the Franconia Notch area received 3–5 inches of snow, underscoring winter-like mountain conditions at the time.

New Hampshire Fish and Game warns that it remains winter in the mountains with deep snow, cold temps, and freezing conditions, keeping hikers at risk.

Wood was unprepared for snowy conditions from Sunday to Monday, contributing to the fatal outcome after an estimated 3–5 inches fell in the area.

The incident followed a weekend trip, with the recovery taking place Tuesday in the Lonesome Lake and Kinsman Pond area.

Wood was from West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and his family reported him missing after losing contact on Saturday.

This is a developing story with updates anticipated as more information becomes available.

Wood camped at Lafayette Campground on Friday, began hiking on Saturday, and his family notified authorities on Monday that they had not heard from him.

The recovery involved multiple agencies working through challenging terrain and weather to provide closure for Wood’s family.

Over the past four days, six hikers from Massachusetts have been rescued in the White Mountains, signaling ongoing dangerous conditions.

Rescues included a 56-year-old man from a snowstorm on Rocky Branch Trail, two teenagers on Mount Washington in wind-driven precipitation, and three young hikers on Falling Waters Trail after losing the trail as temperatures dropped.