Sarah Gow vows to join the volunteer service who rescued her from Queensland’s highest mountain

The hiker rescued from Queensland’s highest mountain last month has pledged to join the local State Emergency Service after being inspired by their dedication during her harrowing birthday ordeal.

The hiker rescued from Queensland's highest mountain last month has pledged to join her local State Emergency Service after being inspired by their dedication during her harrowing birthday ordeal.

The hiker rescued from Queensland’s highest mountain last month has pledged to join the local State Emergency Service after being inspired by their dedication during her harrowing birthday ordeal.

South East Queenslander Sarah Gow wanted to mark her 41st birthday with an adventure, choosing to tackle the challenging hike up Mount Bartle Frere.

“I often hike alone as I’m a geocacher and an adventurous person,” she said.

She planned to celebrate her birthday at the summit of the mountain with stunning views as her reward.

However, when the weather turned on the morning of June 27, Ms Gow became trapped by heavy mist and deteriorating weather conditions.

“I went to sleep, clear skies, street lights, stars. Woke to thicker than soup fog,” she said.

Mount Bartle Frere, with a height of 1622m, is a rugged and remote location where the weather can change quickly, particularly at the summit.

As an experienced geocacher and confident solo hiker, the 41-year-old said she had spent a year training for the challenging climb.

Sarah Gow planned to celebrate her birthday at the summit of the mountain with stunning views as her reward.

“I was thoroughly prepared, having done the gym each day plus local hiking beforehand,” she said.

Ms Gow arrived at Mount Bartle Frere, which is about 50km from Cairns, on June 25, camping overnight at Big Rock before beginning her early morning ascent to Broken Nose and then onto the summit.

“I checked the weather several times before going and on several apps,” she said.

However, weather conditions changed dramatically during her time on the mountain.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the closest weather station is Innisfail, about 30km away.

Despite her preparation, she eventually had to call for help.

Two SES members were deployed from the Far North Queensland district and assisted Ms Gow down the mountain in a challenging eight-hour descent.

Sarah Gow describes herself as is an adventurous person who does many solo hikes.

Far North Queensland SES acting area controller Tristan Hardwick, who coordinated the rescue, said Ms Gow had been well prepared but the weather caught her off guard.

“She started to come down and then realised the cloud had come in. She couldn’t see any tracks, there was heavy mist, and it was starting to get very, very wet,” he said.

Mr Hardwick praised Ms Gow’s preparation, saying she was well equipped for the challenging conditions.

Her preparation included carrying a personal emergency beacon, GPS, water filter and sufficient food for several days.

“She could have stayed up there for at least a day or two, she was that well prepared,” Mr Hardwick said.

Mount Bartle Frere, with a height of 1622m, is a rugged and remote location where the weather can change quickly, particularly at the summit.

With many wondering what happened with the previously reported leech encounter, Ms Gow said it was a “freak accident”.

“Because of the tree coverage, plenty had landed on all three of us,” she said.

“A leech had fallen into my eye, in between my glasses as well. So literally a freak accident.”

A number of hikers have required the assistance of the SES to return to the base of Mount Bartle Frere. Picture: Arun Singh Mann

The leech had attached itself in a C-shape under her eyelid, forcing the rescue team to let it feed “naturally” before falling out to avoid potential vision problems.

Since the 17-hour ordeal, the experience has inspired her to give back to the rescue community.

“As a symbolic thankyou and pay it forward, I am joining the local SES group,” she said.

If she could do it differently, her top tip for other solo hikers is to tell friends and family about your plans.

“Tell friends and family where you’re going. Carry your supplies with you and always carry your rubbish out as well,” she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering with Far North Queensland SES can visit ses.qld.gov.au.

The next recruitment course begins soon, with multiple programs running throughout the year across the Cairns region, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Torres Strait and Cape York.

Originally published as Sarah Gow vows to join the volunteer service who rescued her from Queensland’s highest mountain