They’ve got signs on the entrance to all the hiking trails in the Presidentials - people have died from severe weather. Myself, been all over those mountains. Did all 48 4000 footers, some multiple times. Many, many overnighters, mostly primitive camping outside of the tent sites. But, when in doubt, there is no doubt. There were a few days I just decided nope.
My opinion: if the guy was coherent enough to send a text, he should have been physically able to make it to the road. Probably just gave up mentally.
I’ve done a moderate amount of backpacking, nothing more than a week at a time. It’s at least 50-60% mental. The rest of just physical.
I’ve never been in a condition where I even considered giving up. Once I rented at -7f. I knew going in I didn’t have enough sleeping bag and supplement with some other things. There was a heated cabin nearby but I wanted to tough it out and I thrived.
He may not have been climbing the side of Mt. Washington that has the road.