Search continues in New Hampshire for missing hiker Emily Sotelo of Westford
FRANCONIA, N.H. – Police are continuing to search for a missing hiker in New Hampshire. Emily Sotelo was dropped off at the Lafayette Place Campground in Franconia Sunday morning and hasn't returned home.
Officers said the 19-year-old, from Westford, planned to hike Mount Lafayette, Little Haystack, and Flume.
She was last seen wearing a brown jacket and exercise pants. New Hampshire Fish and Game Cpt. Michael Eastman said Sotelo was wearing low hiking shoes, but they were not appropriate for ice and snow.
Sotelo was on a well-established trail, but Eastman said the trail can get confusing when there is snow on the ground.
The Fish and Game Department said they had 18 search teams looking for her on Monday morning, including the New Hampshire National Guard helicopter.
The search resumed on Tuesday with crews being flown to the top of different ridges by helicopter. In total there are 52 people searching as part of numerous teams.
Drones are also in the area. Crews are trying to triangulate Sotelo's phone, but have not connected.
Fish and Game officials said they hope Sotelo took shelter somewhere for the night but noted that it was extremely cold and she didn't appear to be adequately prepared for the conditions.
According to Fish and Game, it was 17 degrees in the search area Monday, and 12 degrees when crews arrived in the morning.
Anyone who may have seen her along those trails is asked to call New Hampshire State Police.
Sotelo did not have a flashlight or a way to start a fire. She was using her phone as a light.
