Locals and tourists are being urged to take precautions and prepare for ‘unpredictable weather conditions’ before hiking up Hobart’s kunanyi/Mount Wellington this winter.
The warning comes after a surge in rescue operations, with a shuttle bus service assisting over 90 clueless walkers in the past month alone.
Jonathon Gregory, the managing director of the bus service, described this number of ill-prepared walkers as unprecedented.
Acting Hobart Lord Mayor Helen Burnet said the mountain is a “wild place” where things can change “really quickly”.
“Every time you go up 100 metres, you lose a degree,” she said.
The City of Hobart have called on hikers to inform others about their planned route, check the weather forecast, dress in layers, carry food and water, and ensure their mobile phones are fully charged.
Last year, during a severe snowstorm over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, emergency services had to rescue nine people from the mountain.
Tasmania Police Search and Rescue Acting Sergeant Callum Herbert described the condition of two walkers they rescued as hypothermic and almost incapable of walking.
Acting Sergeant Herbert recommended walkers carry personal locator beacons or EPIRBs, emergency positioning indicating radio beacons, when hiking up the mountain. In the event of getting stranded, seeking shelter was advised.
