The two friends had hiked New Hampshire’s challenging Mount Washington trail a month ago. They returned and did it again Sunday after trekking through neighboring peaks in the White Mountains. Both veteran hikers,

Kathryn McKee and her hiking partner were overwhelmed by snow and wind while hiking New Hampshire's Mount Washington.

The rescue process took 13 hours. Had the hikers not been experienced or prepared with proper gear, officials said they probably would not have survived.