A missing hiker's body has been found after a teenager took a wrong turn and froze to death in sub-zero temperatures.
Emily Sotelo, 19, was reported missing on Sunday after she decided to climb all of New Hampshire's 48 peaks alone - but missed a crucial turn on her way down and ended up lost.
Her mum dropped her off at the trail as one of her goals was to climb New Hampshire's 48 peaks before her 20th birthday this week.
During a four-day search for the missing teen her body was found in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire, on November 23 at 11am.
The cause of death has not been confirmed yet but authorities believe she would have died due to freezing temperatures.
Brian Garvey, a friend and fellow hiker, said Emily was desperate to complete the hike before her birthday.
He said: "She made all three peaks she wanted to and unfortunately on the descend she missed the turn which is hard to find on a windy day or just in general.
"This has happened before at the same exact area she got off trail was back in 2021. Luckily those guys made it out by thawing out their cell phone under their armpit and SAR found them before they froze."
Weather conditions took a turn during the four-day hunt for Emily with the search 'hampered by high winds, cold temperatures and blowing snow.'
Temperatures had dropped to 'about zero' and wind speeds made the conditions feel -30C, according to Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team.
Police believe she would not have survived those conditions on her own.
Jessie Callaghan, a friend and fellow hiker, said on Facebook Emily was most happy out in the woods.
She wrote: "She was sweet and so happy to be out in the woods. She was young and ready to take on anything."
After authorities made the tragic discovery they were forced to call in a national guard helicopter to help collect Emily's body.
Fish and Game officer, David Walsh, told WMUR-TV the biggest risk hikers can take is being underdressed in the winter.
He said: 'The biggest lessons learned in a tragedy like this is when you're hiking in New Hampshire, especially in the White Mountains, be prepared for the unexpected."
Wind speeds of 40-60mph on Sunday evening, along with snow, would have been devastating for the hiker.
He said: "Weather conditions by Sunday evening were single digit temperatures, 40 to 60 mile per hour winds, blowing snow and she was not dressed accordingly for those temperatures."
The officer warned hikers it was essential to dress for the conditions.
He added: "Be prepared with knowledge. Know the weather conditions. Dress for the weather conditions. Have extra clothes. Have extra food, water. Have a headlamp map, a compass."
Emily's parents said their daughter had planned the hike but she was not dressed for the potential cold weather.
More than a dozen rescue searchers and volunteers spent days looking for the teenager, including helicopters, scented dogs before finding a trail of items left by Emily at Lafayette Brook on Tuesday afternoon.
This saw rescue officials change their rescue mission to a recovery.
