A hiker fell to his death after climbing to the peak of a tall New Hampshire mountain to take photographs of the surrounding view with his wife, according to Fox News.
Fish and Game stated that around 10:30 a.m. the hiker fell from the summit of Mr. Willard, a peak in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire.
According to the Fish and Game agency, there was little hope for the husband once he went over the edge on this particular cliff.
“The hiker’s wife heard her husband yell and looked over to notice him falling over the edge of the mountain down a steep cliff that extended to the bottom approximately 800 feet.”
Now, the hiker has been positively identified as Joseph “Eggy” Eggleston, a 53-year-old rail engineer working on Mt. Washington’s Mount Washington Cog Railway. The train wraps around the mountain showing guests beautiful views as they make their way to the summit.
The company shared a post on Facebook in remembrance of Eggleston, who clearly touched those he worked with.
“Eggy’s warm smile and passion for what he did will always be remembered by those he touched. I’m honored to have shared a cab with him. His home will always be in these mountains he loved. Gone too soon, never forgotten. That whistle will forever echo off these peaks for you.”
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Eggleston was a “frequent hiker,” along with his wife Kelly. Officials told Fox News that the couple was “well-prepared” given the trail they chose and the weather condition in the area when the accident occurred, even having brought all of the “essential equipment to include traction devices on their boots for the frozen and icy trail.”
Cog Railway general manager Ryan Presby also shared glowing remarks about his former coworker when he was asked by WMUR.
“He was just a happy, happy guy.”
“He would always just brighten your day. You couldn’t avoid his infectious smile. Anytime he climbed on the train or saw the train, you could just tell he was in his element, and that’s what he wanted to do and where he wanted to be.”
“It’s what he was meant to do and what he loved doing.”
Mount Willard is described online to be a hike that is moderately difficult and 3.2 miles long, according to Visit White Mountains which also shares a bit of information about the mountain.
“The hike up this spur of the Willey Range is fairly steep and closed in by trees. The end of this hike rewards visitors with stunning panoramic views of Crawford Notch. Goes to the ledges above the cliffs overlooking Crawford Notch.”