Missing walker in the snowys.

[puredingo]

Seems this story has taken quite a grim turn. The searchers have found items belonging to the young fella but still no sign of him. Apparently he was coming down Hannels spur? Unless it has grown over significantly since I did it a few years back…seems strange he could lose the track?

I suppose it happens though, here’s hoping for better news soon.

[johnw]

We are currently staying in Jindabyne. Yesterday I became aware of a reported fire on Hannels Spur. Whether there is any connection is speculative.

[Camminata]

https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news ... YWxsPTE%3D


Over a week missing hope its not a recovery mission.

[Stew63]

I'm VERY familiar with Hannel's Spur both before and after the clearing a few years ago. (I pushed for a couple of years to have it cleared - and it was done!) I've hiked it 7 times since about 2014 - 5 times up and 2 times down. Not trying to sound melodramatic but this is a 'route' that should certainly not to be taken lightly. Yes it was cleared thanks to the awesome efforts of volunteers (KeithS!) and Parks NSW a few years ago but it's a route that's VERY difficult to maintain. I haven't been up for a couple of years now. If you were to go even slightly off trail on false trails or pads in certain sections of the route especially below Moira's Flat I know it could be diabolical to the inexperienced - the sheer depth of the fallen, overgrown trees and foliage is about 3~4metres deep and can take hours to travel even 100metres. (I've done that twice and it was certainly unnerving) With no PLB or GPS or compass? ... I really just wish for the best and a miracle for this young hiker and a part of our outdoor community.

Knowing the sheer depth and thickness of the bush and steep terrain involved in this search I totally take my hat off to all the ground based personal searching off track/trail - especially below Moira's Flat. You guys are friggin' AWESOME!

[Camminata]

9th day and still missing, dumb question??? are they using search and rescue dogs surely thats a best way to locate this man.?

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

As of this morning there's now a bushfire on the lower slopes of Hannels, which can't be helping. Currently up to 40 ha according to fires near me.

[puredingo]

According to the report I had read there had been 300 hundred people involved in this rescue mission.
From experienced bushwalking volunteers on the ground to extensive air support. But no mention of dogs? Which I agree would be ideal for such country.

This fire is absolutely devastating for the effort.

[Stew63]

As I recall they used a couple of dogs back in 2014 when that Canadian hiker (Prabh Strawn) went missing at the back of Townsend/HannelsSpur. That too was a massive search - never found.

[rcaffin]

But EXACTLY where were the Trekking Poles found, and exactly what was the 'rubbish' (and where).
Yes, the details really do matter.

Let us imagine that the 'rubbish' is actually food wrappers. Had he stopped there for a snack?
For instance, if the poles and rubbish were found where the track drops off the side of the ridge and crosses a gully (about half way down), then I suggest he may have gone down the gully to get water and had an accident. Or up the gully, ditto.

I found the descent very trying: so much leaf litter on the track that I was forever slitting down - accidentally. Tiring.

Cheers
Roger

[Camminata]

Am sure they would have searched area re: poles/rubbish thoroughly , maybe he walked in circles lost with no navigational tools , no food, hopefully has or had a water source & is hanging on, one would think to start a slow painful bash downhill to the highway...? its all speculative...

[johnw]

As of this morning there's now a bushfire on the lower slopes of Hannels, which can't be helping. Currently up to 40 ha according to fires near me.

Just back from Jindabyne. The Hannels Spur fire has been going since at least mid last week, no change in ~42 ha size on FNM. Saw chopper with bucket going over there a number of times.
Presumably parks fire team and RFS volunteers are on the ground in numbers dealing with that, and may also be assisting with the search?
Doesn't look good though, given the length of time, although weather has been mild to very warm there. Dehydration would be an issue. Let's hope for a positive outcome.

[Xplora]

According to the report I had read there had been 300 hundred people involved in this rescue mission.
From experienced bushwalking volunteers on the ground to extensive air support. But no mention of dogs? Which I agree would be ideal for such country.

This fire is absolutely devastating for the effort.

Dogs have been deployed. The entire area has now been thoroughly contaminated with lots of people so that will make it harder for dogs to search unless he is dead and they are using cadaver dogs.