Bushwalk Australia

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 4:03 pm**

Tasmania Police Search and Rescue have responded to two separate walking groups on Saturday 27 April 2013 and Monday 29 April 2013. Both groups had
embarked on a 3 day return walk to Lake Rhona, which requires crossing the Gordon River at the start and end of their walk.

Rainfall in the area caused the river to rise, making the crossing impossible unless you are a very competent swimmer. On both occasions the Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter was tasked with picking the stranded walking groups up. There were 4 walkers in each group; one member of the second group swam across the river to raise the alarm.

Tasmania Police would like to remind people attempting this walk that they must take adequate provisions and be prepared to wait for the river level to fall, which could take several days.There may be times when Police Search and Rescue, in particular the rescue helicopter, are unable to reach this area particularly with inclement weather over the winter months.

The thing I am wondering, is how did the second group get across the Gordon on their way in? Presuming they started their walk on Saturday, as it would seem.

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 4:19 pm**

Maybe they started at the same time (or earlier) and tried waiting but were running out of time and patience (and food)?

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 4:41 pm**

north-north-west wrote:Maybe they started at the same time (or earlier) and tried waiting but were running out of time and patience (and food)?

But they were separate groups, and both doing the walk over 3 days? Meaning the second group would have to had started on Saturday just gone, the same day the first group was rescued. Doesn't make sense

Anyway, the moral of the story is if you're going to Rhona (or anywhere else via Rasselas Track) then be prepared for the possibility of becoming benighted.

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 5:27 pm**

We didnt get a chopper when we were stranded there for 7 days, inflatable canoe for us.

Wonder how many days they waited. Ours was meant to be a 3 day walk. It's very boring sitting watching that river, especially when you are trying to conserve your food, and it keeps raining and snowing.

Roger

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 5:52 pm**

Unless I am missing something here I would hope that the groups are now embarrassed by their plight and realize that there are many better uses of our emergency services in Tasmania

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 7:04 pm**

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/20 ... -news.html

Bad move by the Mockery to post a photo! I hope that this doesn't raise the profile of the area. Publicity is not always a good thing....

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 7:08 pm**

pazzar wrote:http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/04/29/378079_tasmania-news.html

Bad move by the Mockery to post a photo! I hope that this doesn't raise the profile of the area. Publicity is not always a good thing....

Might present a good opportunity to get some publicity out there regarding the toilet issue though? Could serve a dual purpose - put off the less hardy from visiting, and educate those that do visit.

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 7:14 pm**

Maybe we need to claim first spot on a google search and write a crazy guide to make it sound impossible so the hordes don't increase over summer!! :mrgreen:

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 7:14 pm**

Strider wrote:
north-north-west wrote:Maybe they started at the same time (or earlier) and tried waiting but were running out of time and patience (and food)?

But they were separate groups, and both doing the walk over 3 days? Meaning the second group would have to had started on Saturday just gone, the same day the first group was rescued. Doesn't make sense

Anyway, the moral of the story is if you're going to Rhona (or anywhere else via Rasselas Track) then be prepared for the possibility of becoming benighted.

It says they were meant to be three-dayers, not that that was how long they were actually out there.

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 9:02 pm**

pazzar wrote:Maybe we need to claim first spot on a google search and write a crazy guide to make it sound impossible so the hordes don't increase over summer!!

We already hold that position

https://www.google.com.au/webhp?source= ... 80&bih=675

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 9:49 pm**

Ah so we just need to work on getting that primary post and put something in there about poo monsters!

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 10:01 pm**

pazzar wrote:Ah so we just need to work on getting that primary post and put something in there about poo monsters!

I heard Lake Rhona is brown because of all the poo in it. It's like a giant septic tank!

Posted: **Mon 29 Apr, 2013 11:48 pm**

Strider wrote:
Tasmania Police Search and Rescue have responded to two separate walking groups on Saturday 27 April 2013 and Monday 29 April 2013. Both groups had
embarked on a 3 day return walk to Lake Rhona, which requires crossing the Gordon River at the start and end of their walk.

Rainfall in the area caused the river to rise, making the crossing impossible unless you are a very competent swimmer. On both occasions the Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter was tasked with picking the stranded walking groups up. There were 4 walkers in each group; one member of the second group swam across the river to raise the alarm.

Tasmania Police would like to remind people attempting this walk that they must take adequate provisions and be prepared to wait for the river level to fall, which could take several days.There may be times when Police Search and Rescue, in particular the rescue helicopter, are unable to reach this area particularly with inclement weather over the winter months.
.

Related link viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1735&p=118730#p118730

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 6:50 am**

Wow there must have been some water coming down... That tree is usually a fair way from the flow, even in high water.

i've seen this river in flood and the tree is a long way from going under......

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 8:35 am**

ILUVSWTAS wrote:That tree is usually a fair way from the flow, even in high water

We went to Rohna on the exact same weekend last year and had similar weather. The river was well under the log on Friday on the way in and one of our party waded the river. Sunday arvo after the huge storms on Saturday the water was over the log and impassable. By Monday morning it was about half way down the log again.

We stashed a food cache on the way through as it was highly likely the river would be flooded for a short time but others there that weekend had not even checked the weather report before their trip and got caught out at the crossing.

Maybe if the log got washed away the place would be less visited and recover a bit?

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 8:58 am**

It's possible Shaz/Col, but probably only in the winter months.

The crossing at the Gordon is actually quite shallow, even in flood. The river is just so dark, it looks deep, With a stick you can usually find a way to cross without going over Thigh height. Most people dont know this and just cross on the log.

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 9:17 am**

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Wow there must have been some water coming down... That tree is usually a fair way from the flow, even in high water.

i've seen this river in flood and the tree is a long way from going under......

When we crossed over Easter there was water flowing over the log where it dips near the eastern end.

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 3:10 pm**

I was also there over Easter, when we walked in on Friday the log was pretty much out of the water. Monday morning there was a section of the log about ankle deep and fairly fast flowing.
If you're heading out there make sure you're prepared

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 3:33 pm**

navonod wrote:I was also there over Easter, when we walked in on Friday the log was pretty much out of the water. Monday morning there was a section of the log about ankle deep and fairly fast flowing.
If you're heading out there make sure you're prepared

We walked in on Monday morning. Must have been you guys that helped us across with the rope? Thanks if it was.

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 5:49 pm**

Can see if just a little effort put to the log would help and save.

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 6:30 pm**

dplanet wrote:Can see if just a little effort put to the log would help and save.

I'm sorry but I have no idea what that was supposed to say

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 9:32 pm**

Strider wrote:
dplanet wrote:Can see if just a little effort put to the log would help and save.

I'm sorry but I have no idea what that was supposed to say

See attached, what i meant.

Posted: **Tue 30 Apr, 2013 9:36 pm**

Got ya now! Remember the log fell naturally, so Parks will no doubt be reluctant to modify it. And it is a good gatekeeper too.

Bushwalk Australia

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