Mt. Willard, a 2,865-foot peak in Crawford Notch State Park. Courtesy photo

HARTS LOCATION – George Watson, 27, of Nashua, was rescued while hiking Mt. Willard on the evening of July 19.

According to the state Fish and Game Department, Watson left the trailhead parking lot at 2:30 p.m. and began the 3.2-mile round-trip hike to the summit at 2,865 feet. The trip should have only taken a few hours.

However, by 8 p.m. Watson still had not returned, prompting his wife to call 911. At 9:35 p.m., Watson called 911 himself. Rescuers determined he was on the Mt. Avalon Trail, a short distance from the Mt. Willard Trail junction. Watson was ultimately able to find his way back to the trailhead where his wife was waiting for him.

While being questioned by conservation officers, Watson could not remember where he had hiked. All he knew was that he turned around after realizing that he went too far without reaching the top of Mt. Willard.