Heroes of the Week: Vermont State Police’s search and rescue teamsaves Hikers amid sub-zero temperatures

This week's heroes are the members of Vermont State Police’s search and rescue team who braved subzero temperatures in the middle of February to rescue two Canadian hikes from Camel's Hump Mountain. You'll also learn about the mountain and the history of the area in today's blog.

(Photo: Search and rescue teams rescued two Canadian hikers, a 21-year-old man and 19-year-old woman. Credit: Vermont State Police)

ABOUT CAMEL'S HUMP 

Camel's Hump is a mountain in the Green Mountains in Vermont. The north slope of the mountain borders the Winooski River, which has carved through the Green Mountains over eons. At 4,083 ft (1,244 m), it is tied with Mount Ellen for the third-highest mountain in Vermont. Hiking time is approximately 6 hours. As in all mountain hiking, be sure to wear sturdy shoes, bring lots of water, and be prepared for changeable weather. This is an undeveloped, FREE ENTRY state park with no phone or visitor facilities.

Hikers rescued in Vermont amid sub-zero temperatures

Two hikers were rescued in Duxbury, Vermont, police said. Vermont State Police 

By Carson Lyle, Boston Globe, February 9, 2026

Two Canadian hikers were rescued Saturday after facing “life-threatening” conditions while climbing a Vermont mountain, Vermont State Police said.

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A 21-year-old man called 911 on Feb. 7 after he and a 19-year-old woman needed rescue after becoming extremely cold. The pair were close to the summit of Camel’s Hump mountain in Duxbury, State Police said.

Rescue teams began to climb the 4,083-foot mountain at about 6 p.m., searching for the freezing hikers, police said.

Temperatures were below zero, with wind chills nearing minus 20 degrees. There was also deep snow on the mountain, police said.

Emergency crews audibly directed the hikers to the Alpine Trail, where the two began to make their way below the tree line, police said.

Search and rescue teams began heading to the Monroe Trail, with a team of rescuers climbing the peak with a stretcher. The Monroe Trail intersects with the Alpine Trail, Vermont State Police said.

At 11:20 p.m. rescue teams reached the hikers, who were suffering from hypothermia, according to State Police.

The man was able to walk down the trail after being warmed. The woman was loaded onto the stretcher, police said.

(Photo: Camel's Hump Mountain. Credit: Vermont State Police) 

Crews reached the bottom of the trail close to 4 a.m., where an ambulance transported the woman to a local hospital for treatment. The hikers, both from Ontario, are expected to make a full recovery, police said.

Lt. Thomas Howard, commander of the Vermont State Police’s search and rescue team, said the combined efforts and multiple rescue crews in “incredibly challenging conditions” saved the hikers’ lives.

The state of Vermont does not hold those who call for backcountry help financially liable for their rescue, State Police said.

HISTORY OF CAMEL'S HUMP MOUNTAIN

Waubanaukee Indians first named it "Tah-wak-be-dee-ee-wadso" or Saddle Mountain. Samuel de Champlain's explorers in the 1600's called it "lion couchant" or resting lion. The name "Camel's Rump" was used on a historical map by Ira Allen in 1798, and this became "Camel's Hump" in 1830.

The park came about as an original gift of 1000 acres including the summit from Colonel Joseph Battell, who originally bought Camel's Hump to preserve the wooded mountainous view from his home. In 1911, care of the mountain was entrusted to the State Forester who managed with the aim to keep it in a primitive state according to Battell's wish.