Ugg boots behind ‘numerous’ Mount Wellington rescues

Visitors to Kunanyi/Mount Wellington have been urged to be prepared in the potentially deadly alpine environment. And there’s one piece of footwear causing headaches.

Historic rescue footage in difficult weather conditions from kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Picture: City of Hobart/Tasmania Police

Wearing ugg boots, trackies and even your pjs up Kunanyi/Mount Wellington might be OK in some instances — but it’s caused headaches for Tasmania Police.

Search and Rescue Senior Constable Cameron Rennie said it appeared the attire was a common occurrence for visitors of the Hobart icon, saying it was OK for a two minute walk from the car.

But for more than a glancing visit, it wasn’t appropriate, he warned.

“Places like the disappearing tarn, with cold and slippery conditions, can take hours,” he said.

“They are wearing uggboots with no traction, they get mud on it and twist an ankle, which we’ve seen numerous times over the last few years.”

Tasmania Police joined Hobart City Council and Hobart Walking Club on a chilly Thursday morning to spread a message warning visitors and locals alike to be cautious of the mountain’s dangerous alpine weather conditions with winter settling in.

Historic rescue footage in difficult weather conditions from kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Picture: City of Hobart/Tasmania Police

Tasmania Police Search and Rescue experienced 11 incidents on Mt Wellington since July 1 last year where they were either directly responding or co-ordinating efforts.

Five of those call-outs involved people not sufficiently prepared, while there was no common thread between the incidents.

One of those jobs included rescuing 18 people from the pinnacle after blizzard like condition swept in on a storm front last September.

Senior Constable Cameron Rennie said people needed to beware that weather can turn treacherous on the mountain in minutes.

“Certainly, we’ve seen it turn to blizzard-like conditions in a short space of time, with extremely strong winds, sleet and snow, and that can, and does, catch people out,” he said.

“It can be quite a serious situation, if they are not properly prepared.”

City of Hobart program leader bushland Greg Milne said the alpine mountain range could be deadly for the unprepared or inexperienced.

“We want people to enjoy the mountain’s winter beauty, but the priority must be to keep people safe so we would urge people to please come prepared,” Mr Milne said.

Hobart Walking Club and Bushwalking Tasmania president Ross Stephens urged mountain explorers to always carry a rain jacket, beanie, warm clothes, map, compass, phone, whistle, torch and space blanket.

“I always tell someone where I’m going and when I expect to return. If things turn sour, I can stay warm and dry until help arrives,” Mr Stephens said.

“Walking with a club is the safest way to enjoy Kunanyi. There are walks every week.”

Originally published as Ugg boots behind ‘numerous’ Mount Wellington rescues