Hikers Rescued in Snowy Mountains
The NSW State Emergency Service responded overnight to rescue hikers who became stranded in the Snowy Mountains. The incident underscores the importance of preparation and caution when venturing into remote or challenging terrain, particularly in unpredictable weather conditions.
The rescue operation involved a 350-metre vertical rope rescue in steep, isolated terrain near Geehi, with fog at times reducing visibility to just two metres. A team of 14 volunteers from the NSW SES Alpine Search and Rescue Unit, Snowy River Unit, and Queanbeyan Unit worked for nearly 24 hours to bring the two hikers to safety. Officials credited the hikers' preparedness as a key factor in their successful retrieval. The pair had adequate food, water, and suitable clothing, and critically, were able to provide their exact location to NSW Police, which initiated the response. The NSW SES Alpine Search and Rescue capability is a specialist team of volunteers trained for such conditions. Their expertise includes remote area navigation, wilderness searches, and operating in snow and extreme weather, supporting NSW Police in the state's most challenging environments. This incident comes after a particularly busy period for rescue teams. The 2025 snow season saw an average of two search and rescue missions per week, a dramatic increase from just four call-outs in the entire 2024 season. Other recent rescues highlight the perilous and rapidly changing conditions in the region. In July 2025, seven hikers were rescued near Dead Horse Gap after becoming disoriented in a sudden weather change, located only after activating their Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). That same month, a group of 11 hikers required rescue in blizzard conditions, with one man evacuated on a specialist alpine sled. Authorities consistently warn that even experienced hikers can get into difficulty as alpine weather can shift from sunny to a blizzard within hours. They strongly encourage all adventurers to file a Trip Intention Form with National Parks and carry a PLB, which can be hired for free.
