Look we’re sure we are preaching to the converted here but after a spate of deaths on the trail and rescues of lost or injured bushwalkers this story bears repeating.
Authorities have made a plea for bushwalkers in Tasmania (and for that matter anywhere in Australia!) to better prepare for treks into the state's unpredictable and remote wilderness, following the busiest rescue weekend of the season so far.
In the first weekend of January, search and rescue teams responded to three separate incidents across the state requiring rescue by helicopter: a Tasmanian woman who experienced a medical episode in the Western Arthur Ranges; a Tasmanian man who became lost on the South Coast Track; and two interstate tourists stranded on Cradle Mountain at night.
The day before, two interstate hikers walking without food or water were rescued while trying to descend a steep mountainside in the Freycinet National Park, and another man was located after failing to return from a walk on the South Coast Track.
- Over the 2023–24 period, there were 446 rescue operations conducted, according to Tasmania Police's latest annual report.
- In 2022–23, there were 362 rescues. A decade ago, that number was 240.
And of course you would have heard of the bushwalker who was lost in the Snowy Mountains for two weeks.
Fortunately 23-year-old Hadi Nazari was found alive and well - but it all comes back to that famous Scout pledge: Be Prepared!
Plan your walk!
- Research your walk and make sure everyone is comfortable with the planned route.
- Go at the pace of the slowest person and don’t overestimate your abilities.
- Walk in groups of 3 or more people. In an emergency one of you might need to wait with the injured person while the other gets help.
- Check the difficulty. Some walks need rock scrambling and abseiling skills. If you’re not sure of the difficulty, contact the local state parks office.
- Check weather forecasts and park alerts and be aware that weather conditions can change rapidly.
- Carry a Personal Locator Beacon
- But most of all, use your commonsense