While many of Australia’s national parks are – by virtue of their remoteness and ruggedness – potentially dangerous places to be, people can sometimes be their own worst enemies.
Failure to prepare properly for adventures like a bushwalk have led to a number of high-profile rescues … and tragedies over the years. But, while not using commonsense is bad enough, it is probably not as bad as deliberately ignoring warning signs.
According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, Queenslanders determined to climb Mt Warning just across the border in northern NSW have been fined a combined $10,000 because they don’t obey signs.
The hiking trail which winds its way around the mountain was badly damaged during storms over the January 26 Australia Day long weekend, and has yet to be fully repaired. Signs clearly stating the track’s closure have not however prevented hikers from climbing through the Wollumbin-Mount Warning National Park – and being the first in Australia to see the sunrise.
National Parks and Wildlife Service regional operations coordinator John Fisher said hikers were continuously ignoring warnings … and putting themselves at risk. Recently, a search had to be mounted for a man and his 15-year-old son, both of whom eventually found their own way to safety.
The dangers include unstable trees, fallen trees being held up vines, unstable ground, slippery areas and loose rocks.
People who ignore the closure risk an on-the-spot fine of $300 or a maximum penalty of $3,300 if they chose to take the matter to court.
Not all people who arrive ready to climb are willing to ignore the risks and the warnings however. Canadian tourists Victoria Crabtree and Joey Danis told the Bulletin they would never walk the closed track.
“We were really disappointed as everyone had said how beautiful the mountain is and what amazing views it has,” Miss Crabtree said. “There were huge trees fallen across the track right at the beginning, so you couldn’t even tell which way to go … we wouldn’t risk it as it’s so easy to get lost, or twist your ankle or get bitten by a snake.”
There has been some criticism of the length of time it is taking for the popular track to re-open, and on the lack of information about its state.
The parks service is not able to say when the track will be re-opened.
Would you hike a ‘closed’ track? Have you witnessed people ignoring safety warning signs? Comment below.
Closed tracks.
A very difficult subject this one. Track closed for safety reasons, yes I can see that makes some sense. Litigation is all too common and if a track is in bad repair someone could sue if injured due to the condition of the track.
However at what point do we wrap people up in cotton wool and say you cannot do that.
Everything we do in our lives has some inherent risk attached. Just look at the market for extreme sports, the equipment available for different activities and sports. Millions spent developing cameras to record your “Adventures” and all the adrenelin junkies out there getting their highs with risk taking.
Yes people get hurt even die doing these things, look at the guy in the USA recently. Died because his rope was too long when he did a big swing on a rock arch. Tragic yes but it was his choice to do the swing ,no-one else.
Did you climb a tree when you were a kid, Or is that too dangerous?
No I think on the whole you should not manby pamby people or we will all end up as couch potatoes.
Risky Business