REscue at Mt Dissapointment Strath Crk Falls

[GregR]

I see in The Age online that a group of 3 mid twenties hikers had to be rescued after failing to be able to ascend the final hill back to their finish point- Very tough area and not for the inexperienced. Steep and rough!

Three hikers were rescued from Strath Creek Falls last night in an operation involving MFB, CFA, SES, ambulance and police, reports Ebony Bowden.

A group of six set off on the 10-kilometre Mount Disappointment trail yesterday but three reportedly couldn't finish the last ascent and had to be saved by police search and rescue.

The operation is expected to be a huge expense to emergency services, with members of police search and rescue staying at the site 95 kilometre north of Melbourne overnight.

[crockle]

I'm not 100% sure what the "Mount Disappointment trail" actually is. But if they did some variant of a 4WD-Diggers Gully circuit walk and failed to climb the hill from Strath Creek near Rebecca Falls back up to the carpark, then that's a bit piss-poor.
It's a short distance, and only mildly steep. No tracks, but just keep going up and you will hit the road.
Before 2009, there used to be a couple of elegant pseudo-Victorian little signs nailed to the odd tree on the hill pointing the way - that 'pointing hand and finger' motif.
Seems maybe more likely they may have tried to climb straight up the line of the main Strath falls. Which is highly unnecessary ..

[GBW]

Looks like it was quite a rescue mission...

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/epic- ... vc4xc.html

Epic rescue mission sees crew of 30 save hikers trapped on Mount Disappointment

When a trio of hikers were too tired to finish their walk at Mount Disappointment on Sunday night, Victoria's finest came to their rescue, and boy, was it crowded up there.

More than 30 emergency service workers rushed to the scene at Strath Creek and Tunnel Falls, including eight police officers, 10 firefighters, two CFA and SES units and two ambulances in what police have described as a "particularly unusual" rescue and an "emergency services meet fest".

Three fire trucks, eight police, two ambulances and two SES and CFA units were at the six-hour rescue.
It's understood Kilmore SES also hit a kangaroo on the road while responding to the alarm.

A massive six-hour rescue mission ensued on Sunday when the three hikers became trapped about 7.30pm during a 14 kilometre hike at the state forest 80 kilometres from Melbourne.

Victoria police rescue team Sergeant Paul Bartlett said the circumstances of the hiking misadventure were "particularly unusual".

He said due to the size and complexity of the rescue mission, a multi-agency emergency services response of more than 30 people was required.

The bill for rescuing the unlucky hikers is estimated to total more than $10,000 per hiker.

Three MFB trucks from West Melbourne and Richmond rushed to the rural township of Clonbinane, 80 kilometres from the CBD, carrying specialist rescue equipment.

A police media spokeswoman described the rescue as an "emergency services meet fest".

Sergeant Bartlett said trouble began for the group of five hikers after they undertook the high-intensity 14 kilometre trek at Strath Creek and Tunnel Falls circuit, which ended at the base of the Strath Creek Falls at about 7.30pm on Sunday night.

He said three of the hikers were fatigued and not capable of hiking back up the trail in the dark, so the other two hikers trekked back up to the top of the falls where they regained phone reception and called triple zero.

At about 8.30pm, MFB lead a sophisticated high-angle abseiling rescue operation where each hiker was individually brought up from the base of the embankment by rope.

The last hiker was rescued just after midnight. No one was injured. A cautionary tale for any hiker, the operation is expected to have cost tens of thousands of dollars, with rescue police from the city resting in the regional township overnight.

The MFB charges $522 per appliance, or truck, for every 15 minutes it is called out to a false alarm, which equates to $2000 an hour.

While this is not directly comparable to a real rescue mission, that fee only takes into account standard pumper trucks and not the highly-advanced rescue units.

MFB spokeswoman Meg Rayner said the trapped hikers were sent blankets, food and water.

A 24-year-old woman, a 25-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were rescued during the operation.

The ambitious hiking expedition took place on the coldest morning since October last year, with temperatures dropping below 11 degrees on Sunday night.

Sergeant Bartlett said while hiking misadventures were common across the state, to his knowledge, it was the first rescue mission of its kind at the Strath Creek Falls.

He urged other hikers to take caution.

"Always make sure you research your trip and make sure it is within your capabilities," Sergeant Bartlett said.

"By the time all the hikers were rescued it was midnight. They were in good spirits, and had water and blankets sent down to them, but they weren't dressed in warm clothes so if they had been stuck there all night it would have been a very uncomfortable night for them."

The trail the group were walking is considered by hiking experts to be advanced and only suitable only for experienced hikers.

[crockle]

"The trail the group were walking is considered by hiking experts to be advanced"

There is no "trail" as such.

"He said due to the size and complexity of the rescue mission, a multi-agency emergency services response of more than 30 people was required.

I have a strong suspicion this is absolute cobblers and that the various emergency services all just rocked up and then laughed when they realised how many of them were there. Just to do a simple rescue in not-very-remote bushland, within shouting distance of several farms.
Perhaps I should not make fun, and the situation was truly dire.

I doubt it though.

[Out_Walking]

Without a doubt this would be the walk detailed in the Glenn Tempest book, 'Daywalks around Melbourne'. The main drama is it was written in 2005? Well before the 2009 fires that turned a chunk of it into a regrowth slog-fest. It's easy to pass judgement when not being there, but it's tough with this one. When I read they were essentially at the end and only had to climb up the final hill... well, what can you say? I've never written lol in an online forum before, but this lol non-use has officially ended.

[GregR]

Without a doubt this would be the walk detailed in the Glenn Tempest book, 'Daywalks around Melbourne'. The main drama is it was written in 2005? Well before the 2009 fires that turned a chunk of it into a regrowth slog-fest. It's easy to pass judgement when not being there, but it's tough with this one. When I read they were essentially at the end and only had to climb up the final hill... well, what can you say? I've never written lol in an online forum before, but this lol non-use has officially ended.

I agree that is most likely the walk they attempted or a very close equivalent.

Won't comment on the people rescued until I know more but superficially looks like inexperience coupled with lack of fitness. Saying that tho, it's the toughest day walk I have ever tried. If I'm reading Gerry's post correctly they finished at the base of Strath Falls at the bottom of my 1st picture- I wouldn't want to climb that in the dark either!!

[Out_Walking]

Saying that tho, it's the toughest day walk I have ever tried. If I'm reading Gerry's post correctly they finished at the base of Strath Falls at the bottom of my 1st picture- I wouldn't want to climb that in the dark either!!

Oh yeah, at least they did more than me. Three times I've attempted to follow those infernal Tempest notes and it was a disaster each time. I've been looking to go back again, but this time I'll make my own way, as the notes don't really make sense considering the tracks mentioned in the book have been swallowed up by regrowth.

You're right, they've gone way too far along Strath Creek, as finishing up below the actual falls is a slight deviation from what the Tempest notes suggest

[GregR]

Quote" and it was a disaster each time"...
I think you mean a fiasco.

[Out_Walking]

I think you mean a fiasco.

You're right. 100% fiasco! Then again, maybe not? At least I haven't been winched out yet

[Lophophaps]

The rescue wasn't on 1 April, perchance? Sounds like overkill to me. The slope is steep but not much compared to a rock climb. The rescue kit is not complicated or bulky - a few climbing ropes, harnesses, helmets if so disposed, abseiling devices, a few more climbing bits and pieces, head torches, radios and a winch. With a rope and harness, each walker may have been able to climb out. A tight rope gives a lot of security. Except when there's a fire danger I've not seen CFA or MFB on a bush rescue. I've done a vertical ad hoc night rescue from a crag with just rock gear, maybe 100 metres up. No head torches, no radios, just abeiling until we could reach the climbers and then haul them up as they climbed. I may have had jumars.

[andrewa]

I'm thinking inexperienced " let's call for help now coz we can" setup ( since we all have these amazing mobile communication devices at hand these days).

W ( why) TF can't someone just "deal" with spending a night uncomfortably somewhere, and work it out in the morning? They weren't going to freeze/die of starvation. Make it part of the " adventure".

A

[north-north-west]

I'm thinking inexperienced " let's call for help now coz we can" setup ( since we all have these amazing mobile communication devices at hand these days).

W ( why) TF can't someone just "deal" with spending a night uncomfortably somewhere, and work it out in the morning? They weren't going to freeze/die of starvation. Make it part of the " adventure".

A

Tend to agree with that. It might be uncomfortable curling up on a hillside at night with inadequate clothing but it won't kill you.

[davidn3875]

I wonder what this party have learned from their situation. Experience is gained by solving problems, not just grabbing a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. It would be apparent it is just as well that they were not in South West Tasmania! I hope their next walk is a positive experience for them.

[GregR]

I think we are on the same page here.
"Tend to agree with that. It might be uncomfortable curling up on a hillside at night with inadequate clothing but it won't kill you"

Be interesting to see if they are being slugged with a bill from MFB et al.

[nezumi]

Googling "Strath Creek and Tunnel Falls" brought up this link, which I assume is the "trail" they were mentioning https://www.trailhiking.com.au/strath-c ... nel-falls/

[dougal73]

I have done this hike fairly recently. It is surprising they needed help. But once you reach the base of the falls it is a very, very steep scramble up no matter what way you take. I took the embankment to the right then goes up to the small viewing point. But if you are not confident in scrambling up very steep embankments I can see why you'd baulk at it. As a number of the people in the group did. Around half the group went back to the previous falls (Rebecca Falls IIRC) and went up there. I've not taken the route, but they said it was quite straightforward. The hiking notes recommend taking that route up, so I'm not sure why they (the people needing rescued) didn't....Perhaps it was getting dark...but then if it was they should have just headed straight up at Rebecca Falls, rather than staying out longer by continuing to Strath Falls. It's about a km or so from them to Strath Falls...so adding roughly 30 mins to being out. This 30 mins would have made all the difference.

Overall the circuit is a fairly tough one. You'd certainly need good hiking and navigation experience to do it.

Thus it sounds like this group was of very uneven ability. Likely had a couple of experienced people leading it, but some very inexperienced people attending.

I don't agree that spending a night in the bush in adequate clothing is merely character building. There is something called hypothermia that regularly kills people. Granted, that would have been unlikely on that night, but certainly something that should be considered.

Anyhow, many lessons can be learned and the main thing is they are ok.

[Baeng72]

I took another look at this walk, hoping the recent rain had made for some interesting falls.
There wasn't anything in Diggers Gully, but a few puddles and spring or underwater river surfacing.
A small flow over Strath Creek Falls, so I ended up walking to the base of the falls. Nice and fresh.
I backtracked to Rebecca Falls and headed up to the road.
There was a small bluff that required a bit of thought and as I was a tad stuffed and not feeling it, I took it slow, and got up no dramas.
Certainly not in the King Spur or Stanley Name Spur level of scrambling.

Strath Creek

Strath Creek Falls

falls0185.png (317.35 KiB) Viewed 11442 times

[Camminata]

I took another look at this walk, hoping the recent rain had made for some interesting falls.
There wasn't anything in Diggers Gully, but a few puddles and spring or underwater river surfacing.
A small flow over Strath Creek Falls, so I ended up walking to the base of the falls. Nice and fresh.
I backtracked to Rebecca Falls and headed up to the road.
There was a small bluff that required a bit of thought and as I was a tad stuffed and not feeling it, I took it slow, and got up no dramas.
Certainly not in the King Spur or Stanley Name Spur level of scrambling.

IMG_7490.png

falls0185.png

Good one, was thinking last week I need to get back there and finish the last section up the creek back to the Falls, I enjoyed it last time definitely worth a trip back.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I must have missed my chance to mock some clueless newbies who had NFI.
The rescue took place in 2017!!.
;-P

[Camminata]

I must have missed my chance to mock some clueless newbies who had NFI.
The rescue took place in 2017!!.
;-P

I am surprised you missed this opportunity

[Baeng72]

I took another look at this walk, hoping the recent rain had made for some interesting falls.
There wasn't anything in Diggers Gully, but a few puddles and spring or underwater river surfacing.
A small flow over Strath Creek Falls, so I ended up walking to the base of the falls. Nice and fresh.
I backtracked to Rebecca Falls and headed up to the road.
There was a small bluff that required a bit of thought and as I was a tad stuffed and not feeling it, I took it slow, and got up no dramas.
Certainly not in the King Spur or Stanley Name Spur level of scrambling.

IMG_7490.png

falls0185.png

Good one, was thinking last week I need to get back there and finish the last section up the creek back to the Falls, I enjoyed it last time definitely worth a trip back.

Thanks. I'd choose a coolish day, probably works better in Spring.

[Baeng72]

I must have missed my chance to mock some clueless newbies who had NFI.
The rescue took place in 2017!!.
;-P

That's bait for Xplora and you know it!

Some shameless self-promotion. But if it helps someone on what not to do, then it's not so bad...
https://youtu.be/36p-NsXNBCk?si=BA1rLwaUOSUKS_wC

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I saw that You tube video. It looked HOT and DRY.

[Camminata]

I returned today again to complete the full circuit, clearly didn't need Jane Bunn to tell me if the falls would be running , Diggers Gully bone dry, Strath Creek has some pools of water but thats it, took a different route down to Diggers Gully had a waypoint on my gps marked as usual route from track notes, headed down half a km before the usual walk down to the gully , walked down a narrow gully to where it was impassable forcing me to scramble up on a spur which took me all the way down Diggers Gully cutting short the most part of it as I walked it last time, Strath Creek was far more interesting viewing and walking , Rebecca Falls bone dry.... I over shot the suggested route back up to the car park after referencing the notes afterwards ( yeah I should of checked before hand I said to myself) I did wonder where the route up is.. Found a route up at base of Strath Falls , very steep scramble with lose rocks giving way under foot, I did have a bum clench moment or 2...

Cheers

[Baeng72]

Nice one!
I'm waiting for some decent rain before heading back to Diggers. I want to check out tunnel falls, and seldom seen falls.
That scramble out doesn't sound fun. I was looking around the falls for an exit last time and thinking, nope!
Brave man.

I gave Mason's Falls/running creek circuit a whirl to see how bad my legs are after not being out since January.....

[Camminata]

Yep I think Spring is the best bet for water falls in motion , yep got past a point of no return and questioned my life choices in this moment , thankfully got up

First walk also since December felt ok