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.

If a pair of Massachusetts hikers had not properly prepared for a hike on Mt. Washington Sunday, they may not have survived the conditions they encountered, officials said.