18 people huddled together in blizzard-like conditions last September, waiting to be rescued from the summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington as a fierce storm front swept across Tasmania’s most visited mountain.
It’s a scene emergency services are hoping to avoid this winter as the icy grip of the season tightens on the alpine peak overlooking Hobart.
Tasmania Police and the Hobart City Council are once again urging visitors to respect the mountain’s often brutal weather and not become the next headline.
Since July last year, police search and rescue teams have responded to 11 incidents on the mountain.
Five of those involved people who were simply unprepared for the harsh conditions.
“People need to be aware that it can take just a matter of minutes for the weather to turn treacherous on the mountain,” Senior Constable Cameron Rennie said.
“We’ve seen it turn to blizzard-like conditions in a short space of time, with extremely strong wind, sleet and snow. That can and does catch people out.”
Authorities say the mountain’s close proximity to Hobart, just a 20-minute drive from the city centre, often lulls visitors into a false sense of security.
Many rescues happen during snow events, which can draw in people who aren’t ready for what they’re walking into, council’s Greg Milne said.
“kunanyi/Mt Wellington is a true alpine mountain range and can be deadly for the unprepared or in-experienced,” Milne said.
“Every snow event our staff working on the mountain see so many unprepared visitors.”
He said people should plan ahead, check the conditions, understand the difficulty of the walk, tell someone where they are going and never go alone.
Those heading out should also bring the essentials. Warm, waterproof clothing, sturdy hiking boots, a fully charged phone and a personal locator beacon.
While the summit road often closes to vehicles in winter due to snow and ice, tracks and trails generally remain open for walkers.
