After 3 Rescues in 1 Day, Tas Police Urge Hikers To Be Prepared

 

It’s been a busy start to the year for Tasmania Police, with three separate rescue calls from walkers on some of the state’s most popular hikes on Saturday, 4th of January alone.

Thankfully, all of the calls for help ensured the hikers could be rescued and return home safely. Sadly, this was not the case for the three men who died in separate incidents at Cradle Mountain National Park and on the South Coast Track and Federation Peak, both in Southwest National Park, in the ten days prior.

The three incidents on Saturday were undertaken at some of the most popular and rugged hikes in lutruwita/Tasmania, including the Western Arthurs, the South Coast Track, and Cradle Mountain. All people requiring assistance were able to call for help using a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or mobile phone.

Read more: 9 Things to Know Before Walking the Western Arthurs Range

Additional rescue operations since the new year included the dangerous rescue of two hikers who became stranded while attempting to descend the Hazards in Freycinet National Park, without warm clothing, food, or water.

Police are urging hikers in Tasmania to be aware of the dangers of the Tasmanian bush and be sufficiently prepared for treks in the state’s unpredictable and remote wilderness. Senior Constable Callum Herbert of Tasmania Police said, ‘It’s a growing threat that we see; Tasmania is getting busier’.

Tasmania is a prime hiking location over summer, with cooler temperatures and accessible water supplies compared to the mainland. Whilst this means epic summer hiking adventures, it also comes with increased risk due to rapidly changing conditions, challenging terrain, and areas being totally inaccessible, except by helicopter.

Rather than point the finger at increased tourism, Tasmania Police are urging hikers and bushwalkers to do their research and ‘spend some time camping overnight, climbing difficult mountains before you go’.

Senior Constable Herbert acknowledged the proliferation of information about hiking locations on social media, leading people to head out unprepared and unaware of the potential risks involved, reminding people that ‘the reality is that these are very difficult, technical walks, and you need to learn how to survive and operate in the Tasmanian bush before you attempt these’.

Tasmania Police are urging people hiking in lutruwita/Tasmania to follow the following safety guidelines:

• Be prepared: Ensure you have appropriate equipment, including a map, torch, suitable clothing and footwear for all conditions, a waterproof jacket, adequate food, water, and a first aid kit, and carry it with you at all times
• Research your trip: Check the intended trip’s difficulty level and whether it aligns with your fitness and skill level. Always have a route plan, map, and check the expected weather forecast
• Inform others: Let someone know about your planned route and expected return time before embarking on your journey
• Carry communication devices: Always carry a fully charged mobile phone and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Consider a portable charger to extend your phone’s battery life
• Be mindful of lack of phone reception: While mobile phones can be helpful, they should not be relied upon as the sole means of communication and navigation during a bushwalking trip as reception is often lacking in remote areas

Police commended all the people responsible for carrying emergency location devices and urged all future hikers to take heed of the potential dangers and be prepared.

Feature image by Tasmania Police