Rescue teams are racing against deteriorating weather to reach two young women stranded on a Tasmanian peak, after multiple attempts to extract them failed overnight.
The hikers, aged 22 and 23, called for help about 6:20pm on Monday from a spot known as ‘The Notch’ on Mt Anne, deep within the state’s remote Southwest National Park.
Search controller Callum Herbert said the pair had the right gear but were ultimately overwhelmed by the conditions.
“[They] reported being reasonably prepared with a tent, sleeping bags, emergency blanket and food but worsening weather meant they were cold, wet and unable to continue their journey,” he said.
A rescue helicopter was sent out immediately, but fierce winds, low cloud and near-zero visibility prevented pilots from reaching them.
Through the night, a ground team of police and wilderness paramedics attempted to reach the hikers on foot.
They were “forced to retreat” to Memorial Hut shortly before 3am due to “winds exceeding 100km/h and heavy snowfall”, Herbert said
Emergency services are continuing rescue efforts this morning, with operations dependent on weather windows opening.
Parts of Tasmania had been under a bushwalkers weather alert yesterday, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of snow down to 800 metres.
“If you are thinking about venturing into these areas, please reconsider,” police said at the time.
“If you do go bushwalking, you need to make sure you’re properly prepared with equipment and experienced for the snow, wind and unusually cold conditions predicted.”
