Two pairs of walkers strike trouble in heavy snow

UPDATED: Five more bushwalkers have struck trouble in the state’s national parks with heavy snow and poor weather conditions hindering rescue efforts.

Heavy snow and poor weather have been hampering search and rescue operations.

TWO bushwalkers have been rescued and three others are still stuck after heavy snow blanketed much of the state on Sunday.

The resuce efforts come on top of the search for missing Victorian bushwalker Michael Bowman in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

On Monday afternoon, police were alerted to a walker potentially suffering from mild hypothermia in the Petrarch Lake area at the northwestern end of Lake St Clair.

Searchers in the area have responded and are attempting to make their way to the man’s location.

“This reinforces the current dangerous conditions in some parts of the state at the moment and members of the public should consider their need to travel into these areas affected by bad weather at the moment,” Acting Inspector Phil Curtis said.

Two walkers from New South Wales activated their EPIRB about 10.30am on Sunday near Junction Lake in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

The experienced pair were due to complete their walk today.

The rescue helicopter was sent to the pair’s location but poor weather conditions prevented it from reaching the party.

Police and SES during the search for missing bushwalkers.

At 5pm a search and rescue team started walking to the pair, but they were forced to return because of the depth of the snow.

A second party was sent out at 2am, but they also had difficulty walking in the conditions and were forced to return.

The rescue helicopter was sent back out and found the pair about 9am. The walkers were then taken back to their vehicle.

ROAD CLOSURES: WILD WEATHER ROLLS ON

At 4pm on Sunday and father and daughter walking nerar Kia Ora Hut in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair Natioanl Park contacted a family member to report they were struggling in the blizzard conditions.

They are experienced bushwalkers with suitable equipment for the snow conditions.

They are reported to be cold and tired and had set up camp 1km south of Pelion Gap in thick snow. Poor weather has prevented attempts to reach the two by helicopter.

Police said the party are making their way to Pelion Hut where they will decide whether or not assistance is still needed.

“This is a timely reminder to visitors to our national parks to carefully consider weather conditions during the intended walk to ensure they have sufficient food and rations for possible delays due to weather and suitable equipment and clothing,” Inspector Darren Hopkins said.

“It’s recommended that walking parties take some type of emergency equipment such as an EPIRB, Spot or similar device in the event of an emergency.”