The TRAGIC Story of Emily Sotelo in The Deadly White Mountains 

As a New Englander, I find it almost unbelievable that she and her family wouldn’t understand that trekking mountains in -30 degree weather was dangerous. MA and NH experience blizzards and extremely cold weather, every year. It’s not just in the mountains, either. It only takes one year to hear and be advised, numerous times, on TV, radio, and through phone alerts, that no one should be out in those temperatures.

Seems odd that having climbed 40 mountains already, you'd think she would know to go much more prepared than she did considering the harsh conditions.

We have the opposite problem in my part of Australia. Tourists go hiking in the heat and desolation without adequate footwear, clothing, hats, sunblock, food and water. I stopped two European tourists from trying to climb over the top of King’s Canyon in the hottest part of the day. They were wearing thongs/flip-flops, tank tops and shorts. They had no water or sunblock and it’s a strenuous hike for those not used to it. It was 45 Celsius and they had no idea that the heat alone could kill them. Amazing.

You lost me at her mother dropped her off alone at 4.30am in sub zero temperatures. If the weather hadn’t taken her some crazy guy could have murdered her! Where is the common sense here? She was still a teenager.

No matter what you do, prepare yourself for the worst situation. AND don't go alone.

I used to work as a ranger in Franconia Notch State Park. These mountains are challenging enough when the trail is clear and dry. Doing it in -35 degree weather with snow pack and no essentials is just dumb. She risked her own life and the lives of any search and rescue personnel as well.

Poor kid. Had access to all the information in the world that could have helped prepare herself for the hike. Just really tragic but unfortunately social media tends to give the impression that all you need is a phone and you can conquer the world.

l'm just stunned that she was wearing so little, and had no compass or head lamp, or anything in that dreadful weather! Poor girl, and family. Heartbreaking. :(

Wait... this girl went hiking in sub-zero temperatures without adequate winter gear? And her mother didn't think to tell her sub-zero weather is NOT the kind of weather to hike in, regardless of what you're wearing, but good grief, she didn't even have a coat, hat, food, water, etc? Wow. Just wow.

This makes so little sense. So she wasn't a novice hiker, yet made the decision to go utterly unprepared, knowing she was attempting three separate hills? And mom knew she was unprepared and was aware of her lack of warm clothing, yet cheerfully drops her off as she is? Can people really be this careless or was there something else going on here?

As an old hiker that has summitted all of these peaks in all seasons and weather conditions, it still pains me that this young women lost her life because of her inexperience and lack of proper clothing and equipment. Most of us get away with bad decisions and learn from them and gain experience from this. From what we heard in this video, she was loved and admired by her family and friends. I'm so sorry for your lose. I hope others may learn from this and head out and enjoy the mountains while being prepared. You can hike in severe weather carrying around 10-12 lbs. of gear that can save you if things get bad. NEVER hike without rain gear, hat and gloves. a paper map, compass (learn how to use it), head lamp and extra batteries (keep them inside your clothing, near body heat). Check/pay attention to the weather forecast and changing conditions. Proper clothing would have given her a reasonable chance to survive the night and walk out.

every aspiring hiker should be forced to watch 10+ hours of missing persons videos before embarking on the simplest of journeys

I like how the mother says she's a medical professional after she dropped her daughter off at a trail that she knew damn well will be -32 degrees. And Emily's father just sad enough that he's a gastroenterologist, had the hopes her daughter will miraculous be alive like someone that downed a whole tacobell menu

“Ignorance is the mother of all the evil and all the misery we see. "

who the heck thought it was a good idea to hike into mountains without any gear? sometimes I really don't know what goes through people's minds when they do this sort of thing

If there's snow AT the trailhead, how could you not know it's going to be full on winter conditions on the summits 3000' higher ?

Solo-hiking, three mountains, unprepared and sub zero temperatures sounds like flirting with death!

As an experienced winter climber in the Adirondacks and Whites the weather can change in a dime. Being prepared will save your life. My group was in NH days of her passing. It really bothered us. Such a sweet young lady.

This case is so sad. Mother of two daughters here. People are being so harsh in their comments about this young girl’s poor decision. While I wouldn’t let my 19yo do that hike by herself and unprepared.. all of us make mistakes. Some pay dearly.. I’m very sorry for her loved ones and I hope she didn’t suffer much✨🙏🏼✨

An experienced mountain climber, also a member of search and hiker who had logged thousands of hours out in the wilderness, was mystified when reflecting on Emily's story. His recommendation: 1) check the weather. ALWAYS check the weather and never cut corners in the face of extreme conditions In fact- he added: "When its you vs nature, nature will most likely always win." Also: "When the environment is questionable, don't rely soley on your experience or skills, and do not feel defeated if you deem it best to try again on a better day. Heck that mountain isn't going anywhere."

I'm from Niagara Falls. A stationary pit of water that has fences and signs all around it. And still tourists will think it's safe to climb them. There's so many bodies down there.

As a former mass resident and a current NH resident HOW do you not understand how deadly the white mountains are ? This truly is tragic such a waste even a simple Google search would have let you know how serious this was very sad 😢

As a New Hampshire resident, I have been hiking the White Mountains since 1979. This type of tragic incident is becoming more commonplace each year as the popularity of hiking the White Mountains continues to grow. The equipment has improve markedly in my 40+ years of hiking, yet youth, passion and stamina are never a match for nature. Ever. I had a few close calls in the Whites and turned back on many hikes. I hope to hike about another 20 years or so until I am in my 80's.

I've been watching a bunch of videos on people dying on the Everest, and I feel like "determined" is being used a lot to describe these people. It's like it's become a polite way of saying "terminally stupid".

This is very sad but who the heck goes out with light clothing and shoes when the temperature has a minus sign? This sounds like my teenage son who insists on wearing shorts 365 days a year, even when it’s below freezing and rainy.

I’m from NH. In this girls defense, it had been unseasonably warm that week, in the upper 60s and she did not check the weather specifically for the mountain. If she had checked the weather for the area alone at the bottom of the mountain where she was dropped off, she would’ve thought it was gonna be 56 degrees that day and she was dressed, perfectly fine for that.

The most tragic part, is this could have been preventable. Hopefully this case will inspire people to do better research before taking hikes.

A psychologist mother drops her off in freezing temperatures in the early hours of the morning without all the necessary gear. Even I know.. that's crazy!

I get that she wanted to complete all 48 climbs by her birthday, but why not just be flexible and wait for nice, good weather and above freezing temps?

I've hiked Mt. Lafayette in winter in poor conditions and got temporarily lost in the same place that poor Emily got lost. It is easy to do . One needs to make a sharp left upon coming down from the peak and if you miss it you can be very lost in 10 minutes. May she RIP

Ya know, a lot of people only survive their youth through luck rather than good judgment. I know I did. I look back on some of the things I did and think “ what were you thinking!” This poor girl was just unlucky. I know she wasn’t prepared, I know she didn’t appreciate the dangers but maybe, if she had gone the day before, or a week later, she may well have had perfect weather and cruised up and back without a problem. I feel very sad for her parents and friends.

What was she thinking, hiking unprepared? Oftentimes, we are the architects of our own demise! 😮✝️💀

Yeah that was worth it, this goal of hiking all those mountains before 20. People need to have more realistic and useful goals.

The video says Emily checked the weather before her hike, and saw it was forecasted to be between -27F and -35F. If that is correct, why didn't she postpone her trip? And why would she have gone out so ill prepared for such extreme weather?

The girl walked to her own doom with nary a care in the world. Neither she nor her mom could fathom that any sort of danger might be in the way.

First, the White Mountains are no more dangerous than any other mountains. The problem here is that she didn't properly prepare for the conditions she faced. I personally have hiked and camped in the White Mountains for more than 4 decades. And doing so, I've never gone out alone. This is tragic, but completely avoidable. My condolences for her family, but research and preparation are key to survival.

Sometimes the word, “fearless” should be substituted with the word, “reckless”.

So her parents are medical professionals and they neglecting left their daughter climb a mountain when it was -35? Even I wouldn't let anyone I know go for this hike, and I'm an utter idiot.

This is a case of knowing just enough to get yourself into serious trouble. Novice hikers are often very cautious because they’re still outside their comfort zone. Experts have yrs of experience and intuition under their belts (but still make mistakes of course). I’ve always believed it’s the hikers that fall into the middle that are at the most risk…they feel like they know what they’re doing so don’t always realize that they are woefully underprepared. They fail to recognize their own limits, when to turn around, or even make the decision not to go at all. That trail, river, mountain, will all be there tomorrow.

I still can't understand the unpreparedness for the weather conditions. 😫

Was surprised to realize this was just your FIRST video! Keep it up! Looking forward to ur growing channel! Will see you in the next video!

One thing is for sure, her mother is a big player on such a calamity. To drop off a kid under such awful weathers conditions to climb a mountain by herself???🤔-seriously? And she is a doctor? Unbelievable to say the least.

I feel that her mother should be blamed, she’s a psychiatric with medical degree and left her daughter of 19 years only to hike ALONE in that freezing area !!! I can’t get it. R.I.P Emily 😢

She was getting cold even while she kept moving. Feet freezing. Just pausing to rest made her colder. She was stopped by exhaustion and cold.

Hiking, swimming, camping & lots of other activities should never be done alone, never.

I can see these mountains from my golf course in Casco Maine. The snow is there until mid July and these mountains will take your breath away. I’ve driven from my camp in Maine to North Conway in clear weather then an hour later it’s a white out. May she Rest In Peace. So young, so sad.

I feel like a lot of this comes from people hearing stories of perseverance in mountain climbing and then thinking that it’s mostly just mental/you just gotta dig deeper when it comes to overcoming danger. Rest in peace to Emily and hopefully others learn from this situation

Heartbreaking. Love that the family is using the tragedy to keep her spirit alive through the foundation.

Can't believe intelligent lady didn't do all the basic ground work to prepare herself. What on earth was she thinking?????

Basically she allowed her daughter to walk into a Deathwish. I know that’s harsh to say but I could not allow my daughter to be by her self and hike in frigid weather. I’m from Florida and I know that was frigid weather.

As a New Englander l don't understand how under prepared she was for her hike...ESPECIALLY if she had previous hikes in the white mountains...Tragically she learned a hard lesson and paid it with her life...

It's hard to understand why she didn't have the usual items for the conditions. But mostly I keep thinking about her last hours. Freezing is very painful until you are unconscious. She must have been so scared when she realized how much trouble she was in. RIP

I made a similar mistake long ago, it was autumn and I was not a really experienced hiker. When I started I did not expect snowfall as it was not that cold in the past days (in the valley...). I admit I also did not check the weather forecast...it looked fine in the morning....I was hiking alone too.... when I got very high the beginning snowfall immediately covered all marks and signs of the trail and you could not see that far. I remember I came from top of the mountain and the new snow already reached my hips...I could only move very slowly and just estimated the direction, it was already getting dark and quite cold. After moving up and down for some time hoping for the right direction all of a sudden I saw a dark spot in the distance and I was really lucky: it was a warm shelter with people in...Some days later I heard that a hiker was killed in the very same area due to the bad weather as he lost his way. Although my equipment was not that bad (protected against wind and cold, also good hiking boots, trekking poles and gloves, food, even bivy bag, but no sleeping bag....that would have been a very cold unpleasant night) my main fault apart from missing the weather forecast was not to take a gps device...although they were already available. With a GPS device that shows your track or even better a digital map it is nearly impossible to get lost. I don´t understand why Emily did not use her phone as a GPS device or a compass, nearly all mobiles have it nowadays....apart from that the most important rule if you are lost in a cold night: Don´t stop to move even if you are tired. You will die soon if you lay down and fall asleep. Women are even more sensitive to cold. You will get very tired but as long as you move you will not freeze to death. And maybe someone finds you or you will find a way the next day. RIP Emily

The mother is a medical practitioner and she didn’t check to see her daughter had enough warm clothes and necessities? Just dropped her off in freezing weather?! My goodness 😮!

Poor child sounded hasty & over-confident

I've hiked in Central California for a year and 5 months the amount of ignorance was not surprising. This past weekend I went hiking in Griffith Park and there was a Goth Girl hiking in All black including wearing a long skirt and high heeled boots in the hot sun and no water just a phone in one hand and car keys in the other 🤦‍♀️

Thank you for posting this video

Them mountains are no joke. Mt Madison almost claimed our 6 person group in spring of 03. I was in high school, along with 3 other high schoolers, led by 2 Unity College students, who got us lost, mega lost, with places having 3+ ft of snow. We barely made it out!!

What a lovely young lady she was. Her parents should be very proud of her. May she Rest In Peace.

She was not a hiker. She would like to be consider one, but she was no hiker. A hiker would recognize those conditions as unsuitable to hike and not even consider it. If she decided to go she would have prepare correctly. That was no hiker behavior. And the mother.... let's not even talk about her. She was worse than her daughter!

Dropped off your teenage kid by herself in subzero temperatures...

My dad took me hiking up Lafayette in November when I was 8 years old. Nice fall day at the base, hellish blizzard winds and snow 1,000 feet below peak. Not sure he wasn’t trying to kill me. I have just a few more stories like this than I’d like to be sure.

Despite young adults using social media for hours daily....ill prepared hikes continue. How many times to ignore cardinal rules? Bravado that backfires.

You put yourself in dangerous situations unprepared you are asking for trouble it's a tragedy that didn't have to happen

SERIOUSLY ? Both her parents were doctors??? And yet it was OK for them to drop off their daughter ,in the winter , in below zero temperatures! Hello!!! HYPOTHERMIA??????? You don't have to be an MD to see that that was a very bad idea! Tom Brown the Tracker runs a Survival school! Tom has written many books about Survival the Native American way! Tom was trained in the 1960's by an Apache Elder and Scout! Tom lived in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in Montana for 1 year. He went into this Grizzly bear country with 2 knife! He made all his clothing. He was successful! He later trained US Army Rangers Survival techniques , the Apache way. You working with not AGAINST NATURE! He also helped track missing children in wildness areas with the FBI!

17 years as a winter response search and rescue member has lead me to believe the number one cause of most misadventures is over estimating ones experience.

She'd done 40 summits, so had experience, but still fked up that bad?

I love hiking but for any excursions where I know it's even slightly risky I always make sure I have a friend come with me. The last thing I want is to be hurt somewhere with no way to get help. If you don't have a friend who can/wants to join you there are many online forums and groups where I'm sure you can find a fellow hiker. Like 5% common sense can prevent so many tragedies.

Her lack of preparation for this trip was her undoing so sadly she earned the Darwin award

I mean, I don’t know a single parent who would drop their child off in negative 30 degree weather for a hike. I don’t care if you are a adult, common sense should let you know that. 😢

finally! a story i havent heard about! great video

I live 15 mins from Lafayette here in Twin Mtn. This was avoidable and so sad. If only more experienced winter climbers were there that day. They surely would have stopped her from that climb. Only compassion for her heartbroken mom and family.

This story is tragic but it serves as a cautionary tale. I’ve been hiking in the white mountains in New Hampshire for many years and today I completed this hike alone. I understand hiking alone is not always best but I always prepare accordingly and make sure I have the right gear and equipment with me. As long as you plan appropriately, bring the right equipment and make sure you tell others where your going then you will be fine. The white mountains are no joke especially in the winter so it’s very important to be prepared for the worst and only take on hikes you are truly experienced enough and capable of handling. Happy trails.

Sorry to say but this 3 mountain hike was gonna never be able to be accomplished from the start. She had not prepared fir this at all. Death was waiting on her.. How tf did the parents let her go up there. Rip young woman

My condolences to the family..Rest in peace 🙏 emily

Oh my god. This girl is from my town I grew up in and is about my age. I'd somehow never heard of this. I only just began the video, but it's weird to have it be so close to home. Holy crap and I was up at the flume and gorge a few months after she went. My god this breaks my heart.

This really is sad, damn - but wtf - she was from the area, and it sounds like she had at least some experience. Hiking through the Presidentials with no winter gear...in NOVEMBER?! I don't know what to make of that - it sounds like she knew better. Ugh. What a horrible story, and I didn't hear anything about it at the time. Condolences to the family. It sounds like she was an awesome girl. One silly mistake...

Laurence Gonzales once pointed out that too often, "experienced" simply means they've been lucky enough to get away with doing stupid things longer than most. No hat? No map or GPS? No overnight survival gear? It's a wonder that she got away with it as long as she did.

I appreciate you have a short video to tell the story! So many you tubers are stretching their videos, way too long.😉

My sister lives up in the White Mountains and she goes on these trails all the time and tells me how dangerous they can be. I am from RI and yes we are from New England but NH winters are very different. I would not make it up and I am a winter girl.

I was probably hunting nearby (relatively speaking…within a hundred miles or so) when this happened…4:30 is about when you start getting into place for sunrise. My brother and I have a cabin in the white mountains and I’m tellling you, man…it’s no joke to be up that high in late November. As far as mountain ranges go, the white mountains aren’t particularly treacherous but that breeds its own brand of danger. Going out there that time of year without proper winter gear is insanity. It regularly falls down into the teens at night with wind to boot. We’re African apes, dude…we aren’t built for these types of weather conditions so you need to *really* pay attention. BTW, what’s up with this mom? Mothers typically hold out hope far longer than anyone else…and this mom is like “naw, she’s dead already” while the search is happening? That’s like…really odd behavior to me. I understand that people react differently in these types of situations. But that’s an EXTREME reaction to have when your kid is missing in the mountains for godsake.

I climbed Mt. Lafayette in the middle of summer. I was hit by hail, thunder and lightening, torrential rain and thick fog. I can't imagine what winter would be like. I haven't hiked a mountain since. I guess I'm a wimp, but I don't care.

I met so many people on the Appalachian trail That was not prepared

Oh no. Poor sweet girl. I don't think she fully understand the seriousness and severity of things.

A beautiful woman,a glow to her smile,a glow for life, sad day for sure!

I think people in very developed countries lose their survival instinct

I don’t understand… she and her mother were aware of the cold temperatures but neither thought she should take more gear?!?!?!

Also didn't her mother see her off when she also sick in the head I mean come on you see your child going up into the mountains and the midst of a blizzard with a jacket shoes and a granola bar and fruit are you absolutely insane wow I guess they were both confused shame on her mom she should have known better

That's fucked up. Hiking alone especially as a fem is hazardous

Holy smokes! Summiting 43 peaks above 4000 feet by the time you're 23? Wow she had some hardcore ambition, that is inspiring.

Coming from money really does buy you a delusional sense of safety no matter what

So sad and senseless. RIP Emily.🌻

I'd never drop my child off in sub zero weather in such a cold climate. It's sad she didn't have the proper gear and other important supplies to maintain her life. I'm sorry she passed. My condolences to her family.😢😢😢❤❤❤

Don't go on hikes like this alone. Emily did not have enough supplies. Just a cell phone is not enough. She was not prepared as she should've been. Warmer clothes, more food were necessary, as well. It was stupid to do what she did. She wasn't properly prepared.

A Very Tragic Story about a very promising Young Lady, who was Apparently Not trained properly in Her Chosen Hobby of Hiking? Whoever She was instructed by prior too Her Eventual Death ☠️💀. I'D Say they had definitely Not given Her, Sound Fundamentals, or the ability to prepare Herself Correctly. FGI Anyone who goes Trekking, Hiking or Trail Exploring in the Fall Months? Especially late in November should know too Pack accordingly for Severe Weather Changes. I'M sad for Emily's Family & Friend's. But for Christs Sake even Her Mother who dropped Her Off, at the Trailhead should have been more Prudent. Just about Her Obviously Light, & Inadequate Clothing, She was Wearing then. Well I won't Say anything more, as it would be Wrong & Rude too belittle the Deceased. Hopefully Emily's Tragic End? Will be a Good Lesson, & An Example, to the Other Avid Hiker's/Trekkers WORLD Wide to be More prepared, at any & All Time's. Thank You for Sharing, & May Emily RIP AMEN 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Love the White Mountains in NH! Beautiful and they don’t look ominous at all but looks are deceiving. Stay safe all

I've done the Franconia Ridge loop hike so many times that I've lost count. It was my favorite hike. But I've never done it outside of the May-October window and NEVER alone. To be up there in late November alone was incredibly foolish.

I've hiked in similar conditions and you could maybe do with what she had if you kept a very fast pace that didn't allow her bodyheat to lower. However, something that is absolutely indespendable and frankly stupid she didn't have was proper footwear. Once your feet freeze it's game over.

-35 below … no one in their right mind would trek out on those hills at that temp…..at least not unless you had to from an emergency or an amazing competent and prepared pro….mom should have stepped in on that one.

Good luck on the new Channel.