Following another expensive and involved rescue mission in a Tasmanian wilderness area, local authorities have once again urged travellers to ensure they properly prepare for their adventures … and to expect the unexpected.
In the latest incident, a group of hikers – three men and a youth – were rescued from Mount Anne, which sits alongside Lake Pedder in the state’s south-west. They had been camping overnight but wild weather destroyed several of their tents and prevented them from being able to leave the following morning.
A police spokesperson told the ABC that the Westpac rescue helicopter initially responded to the group’s call for help but, due to the wild weather, a walking party, including a police officer and paramedic, was sent in instead.
Hikers venturing into wilderness areas are being warned to expect the unexpected., PIC: Eric Sanman / Pexels
Although it took several hours, the group was safely escorted out by the search party.
Police said the hikers were well prepared for the hike but failed to appreciate the risks associated with weather warnings for the area, placing themselves and the rescue party in danger.
“A severe weather warning had been issued in recent days including for that area, and, due to those forecasts, it is remarkable that the bushwalkers chose to continue,” the spokesperson said. “Police again remind those venturing outdoors to monitor weather warnings and consider the impact of the weather on their activities.”
The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) website describes the Mount Anne Circuit walk as ‘considerably more physically demanding than other multi-day hikes in Tasmania’. It also notes that hikers in the area have often required rescue and there have been several fatalities, including a 72-year-old Canberra man who died while hiking Mount Anne in March this year.
Police say anyone venturing into the Tasmanian wilderness needed to be prepared with mobile phones, charging banks and personal locator beacons (PLBs), as well as sufficient emergency food, water and spare clothing.
Marine and rescue services Inspector Stephen Watson told the ABC that the public needed to be aware ‘rescue missions are very complex and resource dependent’.
“Tasmania’s rugged terrain and remote landscape presents risks to the community and necessitates the maintenance of an effective and versatile search and rescue capability,” he said. “Tourists are often rescued from remote and rugged wilderness areas due to being unfamiliar and ill-equipped in food and clothing for the terrain and the colder climatic conditions.”
Inspector Watson said statistics fluctuated from year to year, but there were typically more rescues during summer months when people may be less prepared for cold and wild weather.
According to the ABC, the Tasmania Police annual report for last financial year notes that there were 446 search and rescue operations that year, compared with fewer than 400 for each of the previous three years. However, that figure does include national counter-terrorism activities as well as land, sea and air search and rescue operations.
I’ve never seen a grey nomad climbing a mountain.
In fact, I’ve rarely seen a grey nomad doing any kind of exercise.
Most of their time is spent talking, eating & drinking. LOL.
talking, eating & drinking
That is serious exercise