Officials are recommending an unprepared hiker be charged for his rescue after he climbed into a State Parks Sno-Cat vehicle on the summit of Mount Washington and refused to leave until he was driven down. According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, Tristan James Murrin, 27, of Virginia Beach had hiked up to the summit with his dog on Tuesday morning despite being cautioned about winter conditions. “He was advised by the staff that due to the inclement weather, it was not advisable to hike.
James Murrin did not take this advice and instead chose to hike with the intention of trying to ‘beat the storm,’” says NHFG in a press statement. Despite the conditions, Murrin reportedly set off at 5 a.m.
and reached the summit at 11 a.m. Once there, he “forced his way into a State Parks Sno-Cat vehicle and refused to get out when requested.
" Ultimately, staff decided to drive him back to the where he refused to cooperate with awaiting conservation officers. “Due to all the applicable information provided, lack of preparedness, and unwillingness to initially cooperate with State Park personnel, James Murrin will be recommended to receive a bill for the cost of this rescue," states the department, describing Murrin as "woefully unprepared" for the hike. Under normal circumstances, is a volunteer-based service that is free of charge, however NHFG states it can request reimbursement for rescues that were "clearly preventable," such as those caused by poor judgment or lack of prepa.