NSW Snowy Mountains hikers warned after couple's blizzard rescue
Authorities have urged people hiking in the Snowy Mountains to monitor weather forecasts after a couple was rescued in blizzard conditions over the King's Birthday long weekend.
Emergency services were called on Saturday morning to reports a man and woman were stranded in the snowstorm on the Kosciuszko Walking Trail, below Mount Carruthers.
NSW Police officer Andrew Woods said the operation to rescue the 31-year-old man and 28-year-old woman took more than 20 hours due to poor conditions.
"The high winds, the snow was falling, there was a lot of snowfall over that time," Acting Inspector Woods said.
An alpine rescue crew, which included NSW Police and State Emergency Service members, set out on foot before harsh conditions set in just after midday.
"They were forced to turn around and disengage the search due to the white-out and weather conditions," Inspector Woods said.
Rescuers found the couple after midnight on Sunday, guiding them to the command post at Charlotte Pass about 4am, more than 20 hours after the original call for help was sent.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, temperatures reached as low as -2.7 degrees at Perisher Valley when the couple was stranded between Saturday and Sunday.
No injuries have been reported.
The couple had set off on a hike on Friday evening, with "reasonable equipment" before setting up camp in harsh conditions when their tent poles became damaged.
"They didn't consider the conditions that were coming and unfortunately set up in probably not the best location," Inspector Woods said.
The couple were not carrying a personal locator beacon and contacted authorities through a mobile phone.
Inspector Woods said it was a timely reminder to take caution in the alpine region during winter.
"If you know bad weather is coming maybe reconsider the need to go camping or hiking in those conditions," Inspector Woods said.
The NSW snow season officially started at the weekend, with some resorts receiving 65 centimetres of snow across the three days.
Emergency services had to rescue three men on Tuesday last week who were caught in a snowstorm at Seaman's Hut on the Kosciuszko Park Main Range.
Police said the trio were not dressed for the conditions, had not filled out a trip intention form and were not carrying enough water or a personal locator beacon.
Across the border in Victoria, a major rescue operation was conducted on Monday after several cars and two hikers became stuck at Mount Hotham.
A vehicle also needed rescuing from the snow in NSW on Saturday morning.
Acting Inspector Woods said it was crucial that people knew whether their vehicles are equipped to drive in alpine conditions.
"Carry snow chains or [make sure] you've got appropriate tyres," he said.
Snowy Mountains SES commander Malika Bailey said people were slowly becoming more aware of snow safety messaging.
"Prepare, have a good plan in place and maybe a plan B as well in case if there is a problem.
"We all get caught from time to time."
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