Helicopter Rescues in Tasmania "2"

[Mechanic-AL]

I'm sorry to here of the loss of your friends Bill.

I procrastinated long and hard over going to Fedders summit and finally came to the conclusion that it was beyond my capabilities. I don't feel any shame in that.
I just wonder if there were chains in place would that have been enough to sway my decision ? It's possible that the installation of chains won't reduce fatalities but just shift the demographics to people like me who really shouldn't be attempting it in the first place.
It's not an easy call to make.

[Ground parrot]

The well-publicised deaths themselves are of course the biggest warning to deter others. But this can also make reaching the summit even more of an attraction, and achievement, for the dare devil - or even someone just seeking a bit of "adventure".

One thing that could be done is to clearly re-classify fedders as a rock climb (in the "free solo" style), not a bushwalk. Whilst what people post on individual blogs cant be easily controlled, Parks can take some responsibility for this. The Parks page for the Eastern Arthurs currently states that walkers need to be confident with "cliffs and rock scrambling". That's an understatement for summitting federation peak. It goes on to say "the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse challenges experienced walkers and rewards them with the celebrated Federation Peak (1225m).​ A mecca for walkers and climbers everywhere, Federation Peak is an imposing quartzite moun​tain with sheer faces and formidable jagged edges." This makes it sound quite enticing, no doubt written by the marketing team.

Although people who choose to attempt this walk ought to undertake their own research, and therefore be aware of the risks, it is still likely they are more experienced at bushwalking than rock climbing, and perhaps underestimate the rock climbing skills and mindset required (more than "confidence"). There is obviously a cross over between the two when scrambling is involved in reaching a peak, but fedders seems to really take it to another level with little room for error.

I'm aware that my own bushwalking experience and capabilities would only be sufficient to get me to the base (if that). I would need to dedicate a couple of years to learning rock climbing skills and dealing with heights, and even then make a careful assessment of my own limits before attempting. But of course even doing all of that, the risk remains.

In the end, why do people do it? Well because it is there.

[JamesMc]

I have now lost two friends to Federation.
There is no comparable Tasmanian peak with such deadly exposure as Federation . A simple slip on Frenchman’s or Cradle or any one of the dozens of most popular Abels is unlikely to kill you.

Federation peak needs to be bolted as a minimum. A chain over the crux would be better. I’ll be astounded if the coroner does not recommend this.

South Geryon - 8 points on the peak-baggers list. No cairned route up when I did it years ago. If you stray to the right, it's 400m down. That's more than Federation Peak.

Frankland Peak - not as high, but high enough to be fatal - you can't practically complete the Frankland Range traverse without either climbing or descending it - with packs.

Governments hate setting precedents that will cost money, including ongoing maintenance. In the Best case, the government does nothing. Worst case, access is prohibited. Parks Victoria has proven to be very enthusiastic about prohibiting access to cliffs. I don't know about Tas Parks.

[phATty]

Condolences, Bill.

I think I agree with the general consensus on this forum. Indeed, nature is not there to make allowances for us. If we make the decision to ascend Federation Peak because it's within our skill set we must accept that the risks are entirely out of our control. I have been having similar conversations with friends about accessibility, i.e., a completely unrelated but parallel example, the new Cradle Mountain viewing shelter. If we have an objective of conservation we can't just make things more accessible or less risky by implementing infrastructure. If I'm diving and a great white comes up to me and swallows me whole, we don't just go and cull all the great whites, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd think they'd be a major part of the ocean ecosystem. Another example is one of my friend's distain for snakes after snakes killed two of their dogs, there's no way, in my mind, that the snake(s) should be held responsible for their actions and trialed before a judge for murder!

When humans think they can be exempt from the hands of the laws of nature, there's just something wrong there in my mind. Of course, this makes the affair no less sad but if the people who go up and do these things aren't comfortable, no matter how experienced they are, with the risk of death by chance, they shouldn't go. In my mind there are issues with experience tackling this walk, definitely, but there are also issues with people thinking that something or someone is just going to go ahead and bolt/protect everything... so much for national parks, with all the huts, braiding and damage there's only so much of it left before it's all ruined.

I'd rather they just close it off, rip up all the platforms, track works, gate the roads and let it just return to it's natural state if that's what it takes.

[north-north-west]

phATty:

Apologies, but I'm stuck in, pedant mode at the moment.
A great white couldn't swallow you whole, especially adding the scuba gear. They just aren't that big. Carcharodon megalodonis could possibly have done so, but they're (fortunately for us) extinct. We hope ...

[Overlandman]

From Pulse Tasmania

#BREAKING: Two European tourists are in hospital tonight after falling from a cliff into the ocean on the Tasman Peninsula.

The pair were walking Mount Brown near Port Arthur when they veered off the track and fell into the water around 4pm.

A woman managed to swim back to shore and climb to safety with minor injuries, but a man in his 20s was swept 200 metres out to sea.

He was picked up by a Pennicott boat about 50 minutes later with suspected hypothermia and airlifted to hospital.

Police said the ending “could have been a lot worse” and thanked members of the public for their help.

[Overlandman]

Helicopter was not involved
Well done to the rescue crew.

From Tas Police
9th April
An overdue 81 year old Victorian bushwalker has been rescued from Mount Murchison on the state’s west coast early this morning.

Police were notified about 8.30pm last night, with search and rescue ground crews safely locating the man about 2am.

Inspector Andrew Hanson said that the man was an experienced bushwalker and had taken appropriate steps to prepare, including notifying his family of his expected return.

“It’s pleasing that the man took steps to prepare, which enabled his family to raise the alarm when he became overdue,” he said.

“It’s a timely reminder for everyone of the dangers of the Tasmanian wilderness.”

Police advise bushwalkers against walking alone, and to ensure they carry sufficient warm clothing and food, and emergency communication devices. A two-way messaging emergency device is preferred.

[Overlandman]

From Tasmania Police

Search and rescue teams are currently rescuing a man from Tasmania's Southwest National Park.

Police received a request for assistance from a man on the Mount Anne Track about 10.15pm yesterday.

Ground crews, assisted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania, were deployed to the area and the man was located on a ridge line shortly before 8am today.

He has been safely retrieved from the area and is being flown to hospital for medical assessment.

[Overlandman]

From Tas Police

A search involving the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania has commenced in the Farmhouse Creek area in the state’s south-west for an overdue bushwalker.

Police were notified about 8am this morning that a 28-year-old man had separated from his bushwalking colleague.

The man was last seen about 9am yesterday on the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse near the Lake Sydney Track junction.

The man is believed to be an experienced bushwalker but was not carrying a personal locator beacon.

Anyone with information should call Police on 131444 and quote ESCAD reference 000072-19042025.

[Son of a Beach]

Looks like they found him near Pine Lake (if it’s the same person). Maybe he took a wrong turn?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-19/ ... /105193166

[matagi]

Am I missing something here? How does an "experienced walker" set out with no PLB, not properly clothed and without enough food and water, as per the article?

[Overlandman]

Update from Tas Police
Found Safe And Well



From Pulse Tasmania
#BREAKING: Authorities have launched a search operation for a female bushwalker who went missing near Maydena in Tasmania's south-west this afternoon.

The woman disappeared while hiking on the Twisted Sister Track near Gordon River Road after becoming separated from her walking group around 2pm.

The area has been hit with a cold-snap today, with locals earlier sharing pictures of snow covered mountains surrounding Maydena.

Search efforts are currently combining aerial and ground resources, with a helicopter scouring the area from above while ground crews and drones search the surrounding terrain.

[Overlandman]

From Pulse Tasmania
Not sure if the Rescue Helicopter was involved

A female trail runner has been brought back to safety after becoming lost on Cradle Mountain's Overland Track, prompting authorities to renew safety warnings for bushwalkers.

Search and Rescue teams were mobilised yesterday evening when the woman called emergency services from her mobile phone after losing her way in Cradle Mountain National Park.

Police officers and a Tasmania Parks and Wildlife ranger located the distressed runner around 8pm last night.

The woman sought shelter overnight at Waterfall Hut before rescuers walked her out to safety early this morning.

[Overlandman]

From Tasmania Police

Police are reiterating warnings to bushwalkers after another search and rescue response was launched to rescue two bushwalkers near Lake Newdegate in the Mount Field National Park overnight.


“Around 10pm last night, police were alerted via a satellite messaging device, that two bushwalkers required assistance after becoming stranded at the Newdegate Hut due to suffering from the effects of exposure,” said Acting Inspector Paul Johns from Marine and Rescue Services.

“The weather prevented the party from walking out of the area and concerns were held due to further deterioration of weather conditions.”

“The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched, however, due to weather conditions and cloud it was unable to safely land, and a search and rescue team was deployed to walk to the area.”

“Just prior to 3.30am this morning rescue personnel, consisting of two police rescue officers and two wilderness paramedics, reached the bushwalkers. The bushwalkers were treated at the hut and extracted by helicopter at 9am this morning, after the weather conditions improved.”


Last week we saw several bushwalker weather alerts issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, and this rescue is an example of how it’s imperative to only bushwalk if you are prepared – both with physical capability, and equipment to keep you safe.

Police and other emergency services will always respond to requests for assistance, but it’s important to remember that if you require assistance in bad weather, aircraft are often not able to fly due to conditions and ground crews could be hours away.

Carrying suitable equipment will ensure you can remain safe until help arrives if required.

[Overlandman]

From Tasmania Police

Despite numerous warnings to bushwalkers of being prepared, police were again required to rescue two walkers from the west coast wilderness today.

Police search and rescue personnel including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania were deployed to rescue a party of two who had become lost in the Savage River Regional Reserve.

The party had entered the area with insufficient equipment and limited knowledge of the area.

After two days in the area, they attempted to call triple zero for assistance however were unable to get phone coverage in the remote area. They eventually were able to hike to high ground and call for assistance.

"Police cannot reiterate enough that If hiking in a remote area ensure you not only have a mobile phone with adequate battery and backup battery but also carry navigation devices that work even when out of cellular coverage and a personal locator beacon," Inspector Steve Jones said.

"Never solely rely on a mobile phone. Always carry enough adequate equipment and supplies for the intended journey and additional emergency supplies to survive when a trip does not go as intended."

[Lophophaps]

Wow, two days and a mobile phone call. It would be interesting to learn what gear and experience they had.

[north-north-west]

Savage River has one or two very short tourist tracks and that's it. Paddling is more common than walking. It's incredibly complex and difficult terrain.
I'd like to know more about this one.