Kanangra Beacon

[flatfoot]

Via Facebook from Police Rescue:

KANANGRA BEACON UPDATE

A group of walkers has been located by Ambulance helicopter. A paramedic has been winched in, finding one of the group suffering from dehydration, but in a stable condition. It is expected that the crew member and ill person will be recovered shortly.

Seriously mean weather to be walking in seriously mean country.

I wonder if it was a multi-day? Anyone know more?

[FatCanyoner]

They were near Mt Stormbreaker when they set off the beacon, which makes me think they were doing the K to K. Not sure what Dex Ck is like at the moment, but other than that there isn't much water around up there, so with temps near 40C it would be easy to end up in trouble. It's pretty interesting that the beacon was set off just before 6pm. I'm not quite sure where they would have been coming from / going to to end up there at that point in the day... unless they had been trying to walk out but had been going REALLY slow.

[flatfoot]

Thanks for the insight. How did you know they were near Mt Stormbreaker - is information on beacon activations published anywhere?

This via Facebook Police Rescue:

Be Responsible in the Great Outdoors - Stay Hydrated - Medical Emergency Kanangra bushland required Helicopter Rescue.

On the PM 30/11/2012, a PLB (personal locator beacon) that had been loaned from NSW Police in the Blue Mtns (free of charge - see Think Before you Trek program) was activated by a group of 3 persons undertaking activities in a remote area of bushland in Kanagra section of the Blue Mtns outdoors.

A experienced Police Search Coordinator (National Accreditation) was notified and commence a search and recovery response with other agencies.

As a result, an Ambulance Helicopter attended the area and winched in a SCAT officer to assist the victims. However a mechanical issue with the helo necessitated its return to base, and a 2nd Helo was responded. The SCAT and 3 persons were safely removed from the bushland.

A female victim was suffering from severe dehydration, and was taken to hospital for assessment/treatment.

Medical warnings were raised earlier in the week - if you are choosing to take part in any activities on these extremely hot days you must plan and prepare - activities appropriate to weather, your rest and fluid breaks, and the like. Severe dehydration and heatstroke can and will KILL - be prepared.

We are all lucky enough to live in the Blue Mtns and get to regularly experience the views, and activities such as walking, abseiling, climbing, canyoning, mtn biking etc - we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience and get home safe.

Remember - select appropriate activities (remember the advice of clear and copious !), stay hydrated, rest, enjoy and survive.

I was in a group that did a much shorter route back in around September. It took us 5 hrs to climb Mt Guouougang. I wouldn't want to attempt any of those climbs in that sort of heat. The descent can be really draining too.

[Allchin09]

I've just come back from that area yesterday. It rained Tuesday and Wednesday night which brought creek levels up a little, but nearly all of the small creeks were dry. Dex only had the pool at the campsite and a slight trickle running from it, but not much water at all.

There was no water coming from the Kanangra side except small pools in the rocks after the rain, and the only water after Dex Creek was a small amount at Mobbs Soak and a few pools on Kanangra Creek.

[tom_brennan]

You really do have to question the wisdom of doing longish ridge walks at the height of summer. You'd have to assume they were a bit inexperienced to even think about walking out to Cloudmaker. At the very least, it's not going to be much fun!

Often times we just head up the mountains on Saturday morning and make a decision about what to do on the way, based on the forecast. Allows you to pick the best thing to do for the weather, though it doesn't get the approval of the Think Before you Trek site!

T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.
R - Register your planned route and tell friends and family when you expect to return.
E - Emergency beacon (PLB's) are available free of charge from NSW Police Force and NPWS.
K - Keep to your planned route and follow the map and walking trails.

[puredingo]

Errr, ummm.....GULP!