John Ford poses with his cross-country skis and the jacket he was wearing when he got lost in the woods of northern New Hampshire. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

After being lost in the White Mountains in freezing temperatures, Old Littleton Road resident John Ford is happy to be alive, and he wants to spread the message that being well-prepared for any outdoor outing is literally a life-or-death proposition. Every hiking or skiing trip in the mountains can be dangerous no matter how safe the trip seems, Ford said, and he has the story to prove it.

Ford was part of an annual cross-country ski trip with a group of men from the First Church Unitarian Littleton, when he and a companion took a wrong turn. Separated from the group, the two men decided to take different paths back to the rangers station. Ford quickly became lost in the wilderness, and didn’t have a map to create a frame of reference. Around 6 p.m., with night approaching and the temperature falling to near zero, Ford found an empty campsite with tent platforms and an outhouse, where he took refuge.

Fortunately, Ford had the foresight to leave signs behind to let searchers know they were on the right track: as he walked, he left his initials and the time carved into the snow. A team of professional searchers from the U.S. Forest Service hiked in and discovered the initials, which eventually led to their discovery of Ford at 12:38 Sunday morning. The two men gave Ford extra clothing and some hot Jello before starting the long trek back to the ranger station. “I was very impressed with the professionalism and stamina of the rangers,” he said. “They rescued me from a life-threatening situation, and I owe them a big debt of gratitude.”

Jackie Ford, his wife, was equally grateful to everyone involved in her husband’s rescue. During the long hours she waited for word, “everybody was great,” she said. “They kept calling me all night long to tell me what was happening.” John Ford also noted that many members of the men’s group sat vigil while the searchers looked for him, adding that their care and concern meant a great deal to him.

Following his return home, Ford reflected on the experience. The biggest mistake he made, he said, was not having a map with him since he thought he knew the area well. He said he thinks his experience could serve as a useful warning to others, though. “Any hike or ski trip into the woods can be dangerous, especially in the winter,” he said. “Bring a map, extra clothing, food, and water, and some basic survival gear, even if you are just going on a day trip.”

“If I can convince even one person to be more careful in the woods, this will have been worth it,” he said.