National Guard finds stranded hikers in N.H.

FRANCONIA, New Hampshire (CNN) -- Five hikers stranded in deep snow in the New Hampshire mountains were found Monday by National Guardsmen called into action because of poor weather conditions, the New Hampshire National Guard said.

The hikers, who went out unprepared for the extreme cold and wind, took refuge in a ravine on the side of mile-high Mount Lafayette, said Guard spokesman Lt. Ron Alie. A helicopter flew over the area several times before seeing one of the hikers waving a red coat Monday morning, he said.

A New Hampshire Fish and Game ranger with first-aid supplies and extra snow shoes was lowered to the hikers' location. He determined they were in good condition and began leading them out on foot. They are expected to reach Cannon Mountain Ski Resort sometime Monday afternoon if all goes well, Alie said.

Rescuers are concerned about the threat of an avalanche. "Any time you go into the mountains given the extreme weather conditions we have now you risk a potential avalanche," Alie said. "Doing that without snow shoes is incomprehensible."

The Guard is standing by in case a helicopter is still needed to bring the hikers out.

Fish and Game officials said they are considering whether to charge the hikers the estimated $3,000 the rescue effort cost.

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