Unprepared bushwalkers headed into the weekend’s forecast blizzard conditions and paid the rescue price.
Local police were called on Saturday morning when a 31 year old male and 28 year old female failed to return from an overnight hike on the Main Range.
Rescuers battled Saturday’s extreme blizzard conditions, white-out visibility and gale winds which forced them back.
An alpine specialist rescue team was then utilised on Saturday night to reach the pair near Mt Carruthers around midnight. A makeshift camp was set up for the group to wait out the storm until making it down the mountain around 4.00am.
The incident comes as the ski season officially kicks off in Australia’s alpine regions.
“As we move into the snow season, it’s vital that Kosciusko National Park users are properly prepared before venturing into alpine regions,” said Monaro Police Acting Inspector Andrew Woods.
“It’s highly recommended that park users monitor weather forecasts closely and continually as conditions change quickly.
“The use of the online National parks and Wildlife Services Trip Intention Forms and personal locator beacon is strongly encouraged.”
