In other news: Hikers rescued during Mount Washington whiteout; Boy Scouts see small membership uptick after rebrand

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 7, 2025

By The Associated Press

Freezing hikers stuck in waist-deep snow rescued during Mount Washington whiteout

Two experienced hikers were rescued after an hourslong ordeal in which they became stranded in waist-deep snow and whiteout conditions on New Hampshire’s challenging Mount Washington. It’s the tallest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet and is known for its extreme weather conditions. The hikers called 911 on Sunday night. The state’s Fish and Game Department learned that they were stuck at an elevation of about 5,000 feet. A nine-member rescue team aboard a Mount Washington State Park snowcat vehicle trekked up the mountain’s auto road. Rescuers eventually snowshoed their way to the hikers early Monday. Both suffered some frostbite injuries, but were otherwise OK.

Boy Scouts see a small membership uptick after rebrand to Scouting America

A historic rebrand of the Boy Scouts of America has been followed by a small uptick in young people joining what will now be called Scouting America. The overall gains in membership were modest — up less than 2% from the prior year. But it’s nonetheless an encouraging sign for the organization after participation plummeted during the pandemic and as the group tries to move past scandal and bankruptcy. There are just over 1 million members currently. As the organization celebrates its 115th birthday Saturday, President and CEO Roger Krone says it will continue leaning into a broad message of inclusivity.

Honeywell, one of the few remaining US industrial conglomerates, will split into three companies

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Honeywell plans to separate its automation and aerospace technologies businesses from the U.S. industrial conglomerate following similar actions by companies such as General Electric and Alcoa. Honeywell said Thursday that the move means there will be three publicly listed companies when also accounting for its previously announced plan to spin off its advanced materials business.