Missing walker in the snowys.

[Warin]

I was told over the weekend from a friend in the SES that what has not been reported is that after leaving Opera House he went through Siren Song Tunnel, then turned around and came back up the Tunnel. Then headed up to the Main Range.
That means he could have followed the fire trail through to the Geehi Dam Road.

The fuss and effort and money that could have been saved by the possession of a map and compass, and the ability to use them ...

Or even a map on the hut wall .. you are here! And the easiest way out is ...

[snowygreybeard]

What I find particularly bizarre is that the search party didn't visit the Opera House, since they could drive there in a vehicle. The cost of leaving, for example, a ration pack and EPIRB, would be minuscule compared to what was spent.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

What I find particularly bizarre is that the search party didn't visit the Opera House, since they could drive there in a vehicle. The cost of leaving, for example, a ration pack and EPIRB, would be minuscule compared to what was spent.

It was a long way from the search area and no one would have expected him to have gotten to it, given the terrain and vegetation between there and the lower slopes of hannels (hence why we're all dumbfounded).

Can you actually drive there though? I know there's a road to one end of the tunnel and then a road to the hut from the other end, but can the tunnel be driven (genuine question, haven't been down there)?

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[peter_mcc]

What I find particularly bizarre is that the search party didn't visit the Opera House, since they could drive there in a vehicle. The cost of leaving, for example, a ration pack and EPIRB, would be minuscule compared to what was spent.

I'm pretty sure you can't drive there - I'm not entirely sure why there is a short section of road though. From my reading the easiest way to get there is through the Siren Song tunnel (which is prohibited by Snowy Hydro so the searchers probably wouldn't have been allowed to use it).

https://khuts.org/index.php/huts/kosciu ... pera-house

[snowygreybeard]

Snowy Hydro drive through the tunnel. There is something seriously wrong with our world if the searchers were not allowed access, if they requested it. The road is good, regularly used and maintained.

[emydura]

Snowy Hydro drive through the tunnel. There is something seriously wrong with our world if the searchers were not allowed access, if they requested it. The road is good, regularly used and maintained.

The tunnel is actually an aquaduct through which Lady Northcotes Creek is diverted into. If you want to drive down the tunnel, you need to redivert the creek back into its natural catchment beforehand. Something Snowy Hydro would do regularly.

[emydura]

I was told over the weekend from a friend in the SES that what has not been reported is that after leaving Opera House he went through Siren Song Tunnel, then turned around and came back up the Tunnel. Then headed up to the Main Range.

That means he could have followed the fire trail through to the Geehi Dam Road.

The tunnel is actually an aqueduct with water running through it. In low flows, the water is about up to your knees. But some people who have walked through it, found it was up to their chest. And the water is freezing. When fit, the walk through the tunnel takes about an hour and is pitch-black. I don't believe he had a torch. When he gets to the end, he would have no idea where he is. Of course, he had no idea how long the tunnel was. Plus, there are signs saying 'danger - do not enter'. In his position, knowing what he knew, he made the right decision. Ironically in the end, he saved himself. From where he was found, he only had another hour or so's walk to Charlottes Pass, nearly all downhill.

Last edited by emydura on Wed 05 Mar, 2025 7:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

[emydura]

Are you implying you think the story is bullcrap?

Ummm, ahhhh….Who the hell knows? Well, he knows and maybe a couple of his co-conspirators but that’s all going to stay with them forever if it is in fact fraudulent. Such is the pace of life I’ve moved on and haven’t given it much thought lately. I’ll fence sit.

I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s a scam but also happy to believe until proven otherwise that it’s a fair dinkum case of inexperience and mismanagement.

The one thing I can’t quite get my head around is leaving the hut. To me this is a total no brainer. I mean after already being out in the elements for days and you find shelter with at least some food in there! Why would you leave? Ok, he had the wherewithal to check the log book and understand it’s seldom visited but it IS visited and you know there’s a party/ party’s out looking for you, the hut going to get checked. I don’t know, I get panic, fatigue, irrational behaviour…I’ve been lost and nearly broke down at the sight of a decrepit coke can and mudflap as a sign of civilisation encroaching….the hut defies common bushwalking experience its basic common sense.

For what this is worth, I finished a 10 day walk in Jindabyne not long after he was found and just about every old school local seemed to be suspicious on the whole thing or blatantly swear it a total money grab. Apparently it’s not a rare thing in dem der parts?

He got interviewed by the ABC, who are not allowed to pay for interviews. He never received a cent for getting lost. Can you give a single example of someone deliberately getting 'lost' for money?

[Camminata]

If N were Anglo there would be none of this money grab nonsense theory.

[puredingo]

If N were Anglo there would be none of this money grab nonsense theory.

Well, no. From memory an English backpacker went missing in the blue mountains for a couple of weeks and he was vehemently and publicly accused of money grabbing so much so his father had to make an official statement about it.

Hope that answers the question above too.

[Hoojar]

I was told over the weekend from a friend in the SES that what has not been reported is that after leaving Opera House he went through Siren Song Tunnel, then turned around and came back up the Tunnel. Then headed up to the Main Range.

That means he could have followed the fire trail through to the Geehi Dam Road.

The tunnel is actually an aqueduct with water running through it. In low flows, the water is about up to your knees. But some people who have walked through it, found it was up to their chest. And the water is freezing. When fit, the walk through the tunnel takes about an hour and is pitch-black. I don't believe he had a torch. When he gets to the end, he would have no idea where he is. Of course, he had no idea how long the tunnel was. Plus, there are signs saying 'danger - do not enter'. In his position, knowing what he knew, he made the right decision. Ironically in the end, he saved himself. From where he was found, he only had another hour or so's walk to Charlottes Pass, nearly all downhill.

I am familiar with the Tunnel, I have been to Opera House Hut.

[keithj]

If N were Anglo there would be none of this money grab nonsense theory.

Well, no. From memory an English backpacker went missing in the blue mountains for a couple of weeks and he was vehemently and publicly accused of money grabbing so much so his father had to make an official statement about it.

I too was reminded of Jamie - he was lost in Cedar Creek for 12 days - viewtopic.php?t=6115. It is almost within sight of Katoomba and some were surprised by his ability to remain lost when so many people & choppers were searching what is a single creek with very few options to leave it. He should have been within shouting distance of anyone on either the adjacent ridges or the creek.

After his rescue, he missed his flight home and stuck around the mountains for a while... a mate did an abseiling trip with him and discussed it. He was unable to say how he failed to get himself rescued, but did however come across as genuine.

[Baeng72]

If N were Anglo there would be none of this money grab nonsense theory.

I don't think he staged it. I think his decisions at the time and recall is fallible, because humans are fallible.
If he'd collected with a paid interview, well, wouldn't be the first.
But I'd like to think I think that not because of his race. His overt religiosity on the other hand.

[Camminata]

If N were Anglo there would be none of this money grab nonsense theory.

I don't think he staged it. I think his decisions at the time and recall is fallible, because humans are fallible.
If he'd collected with a paid interview, well, wouldn't be the first.
But I'd like to think I think that not because of his race. His overt religiosity on the other hand.

Am not saying he staged it.

[Baeng72]

If N were Anglo there would be none of this money grab nonsense theory.

I don't think he staged it. I think his decisions at the time and recall is fallible, because humans are fallible.
If he'd collected with a paid interview, well, wouldn't be the first.
But I'd like to think I think that not because of his race. His overt religiosity on the other hand.

Am not saying he staged it.

No, and I didn’t suggest you had. I will stop as I was trying to explain my position in an attempted jocular manner, not accuse anybody else. As usual, I didn’t do it well.

[rcaffin]

The Opera House Tunnel:
We have walked through it some years ago, with the water about 100 mm deep at the worst. If you walk with your feet a bit spraddled, your feet can stay 'dry'.
There is no gate at the entry.
We met an SMA car & driver near the tunnel. He was completely unconcerned at our being there. But would not give us a lift as the regs ... !
The SMA drive through the tunnel regularly with a LandCruiser, without any problems, to check it is clear. Well, when the water is at a low level, of course!
At the end there is a big man-made cave for the car to turn around in. There would have to be, wouldn't there?
However, the access to the surface is via a ladder and a gate. The gate was not locked when we were there, and it did not seem that it ever would be. Silly idea! No, you can not drive to the Opera House.
The 'track' from the tunnel gate to the Opera House is obvious, but I think they must have brought a dozer in by helicopter to make it.
We had two headlights for the tunnel, and we needed them both!

Cheers
Roger

[snowygreybeard]

Last time I was there (last summer) there was no gate etc at the Opera House end (I remember what you are talking about though). Actually, I think as an aqueduct it was out of action. I have heard some rumour about the tunnel roof/walls needing work, and the cost/benefit ratio is not good. This may indeed be BS.
Anyway, at the Opera house end there was no signage saying not to enter (there is at the Siren Song end). Very little water, and easy to drive in. Padlocked wire gate at the Siren Song end though.