07/13/2026
A unique mountain rescue on Kearsarge this weekend.
Hiker Injured and Gets Engaged After Fall on Mount Kearsarge
WARNER, N.H. — A weekend hike up Mount Kearsarge took an unexpected turn on Saturday when a New Hampshire woman suffered a severe leg injury—and gained a fiancé just moments later.
On July 11th at approximately 11:50 AM, New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers received a distress call via the State Police Dispatch Center. Reports indicated that a hiker on the Barlow Trail had sustained a lower leg injury so severe she was completely unable to walk and required a carry-out rescue.
First responders from the Warner Fire Department, Hopkinton Ambulance, and New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers quickly mobilized and hiked up the trail to reach the stranded party.
The injured hiker was identified as 29-year-old Alexis Hardy of Sandown, New Hampshire. She was accompanied by her hiking companion, Tim Dupere, who had secretly planned a memorable milestone for the couple's trek.
Despite the medical emergency and the arrival of a rescue crew, Dupere refused to let the injury derail his milestone plans. As rescue efforts got underway and Hardy was being treated, Dupere seized the moment, dropped to one knee, and presented an engagement ring. Amid the pain and the unfolding rescue operation, Hardy happily accepted the proposal.
"New Hampshire Fish and Game would like to congratulate Alexis Hardy and Tim Dupere on their engagement!" officials shared in a statement following the unusual rescue.
Once Hardy was secured in a rescue litter, teams carried her to the summit and navigated down the Rollins Trail to waiting emergency vehicles. She was subsequently transported by Hopkinton Ambulance to Concord Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
State officials remind all outdoor enthusiasts to prepare thoroughly before heading into the mountains. For comprehensive safety tips and a checklist of essential gear, visit hikesafe.com. Hikers are also encouraged to support state search and rescue operations by purchasing a Hike Safe card at the website.
Hopkinton, NH Fire Department NH Fish and Game NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division and Operation Game Thief