disasters, missing, walker,

Weather again hampers search for missing bushwalker

July 19, 2007 smh.com.au

Fog and low cloud today hampered the search for a Danish backpacker missing on Tasmania's Cradle Mountain, delaying any push by rescuers for the summit.

Kasper Sorensen, 21, has been missing in sub-zero temperatures for a fortnight on the mountain where blizzards and snow storms have been almost a daily occurrence.

The tourist had climbed Cradle Mountain with three friends in March and aimed to end his dream trip to Australia by making the climb solo.

Mr Sorensen stayed at a backpackers hostel in Launceston on July 2 and his last confirmed sighting was on the morning of July 5, when he was seen by bushwalkers in the Cradle Mountain area.

On July 10, bushwalkers told rangers they had found his snow-covered backpack containing a tent, camping equipment and his passport on the summit.

Mr Sorensen did not register his climbing intentions.

One bushwalker who knows the area well believes Mr Sorensen has perished.

John Chapman, who has written a guide to Cradle Mountain, has camped on the peak in winter and is a member of the Victorian Bushwalkers Search and Rescue group, said finding him could ultimately be a matter of luck.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
A rescue helicopter found Mr Sorensen's body on August 1, lying on a ledge 100 metres below the western side of the summit under an escarpment, police said.

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Severe weather hampers search for bushwalker

Sep 17, 2007 abc.net.au

Severe weather conditions are hampering the search for a Canberra man who is missing in the Brindabella Ranges south-west of Canberra.
The 64-year-old from Fadden planned to run from Corin Dam to Mount Gingera and back.

When he failed to return home last night, police were alerted and searched the area until early this morning. Search coordinator Sergeant Trevor Coutts says they are concerned for the man's safety.

"When he left here yesterday it was very fine weather, he left in a pair of shorts, a long sleeve t-shirt and a jumper," he said.

"The weather has changed markedly since he left. "Last night we had major snow storms up here."

Sergeant Coutts says it is believed the man took a camera on his run but no food or water.

"Apparently according to his family he does this all over the world, he runs a lot of trails and mountains and is very experienced," he said.

UPDATE: 18/9/07

Police say they have found a jumper belonging to a 64-year-old bushwalker who went missing after going for a run in a mountainous region south-west of Canberra on Sunday.

Police say they now hold grave fears for his welfare after two nights in the open without warm clothing.

Difficult terrain hampers search for bushwalker

Mar 25, 2008 abc.net.au

Victoria Police say there is still no sign of an experienced walker who has been missing in bushland east of Melbourne for more than a day.

The 57-year-old Beaumaris man went for a planned five kilometre walk yesterday morning, carrying a mobile phone, food and water.

Police Inspector Andrew Humberftone says an extensive land and air search has failed to locate him.

"We've actually searched an area of about 25 square kilometres mainly using the air wing just going low and slow over the tree tops, with good vision and good coverage," he said.

"It's just grid by grid basically from where his vehicle was parked at Dom Dom Saddle, just inland from there, it's very hilly bushy terrain, big forested area, so it's a slow process unfortunately."

The search will continue until dusk.

Mt Cordeaux track reviewed after hiker's death

28 April, 2008 abc.net.au

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it is working with police to review safety at a southern Darling Downs National Park where a hiker fell to his death on the weekend.

The 34-year-old was walking with his wife and daughter to the Mount Cordeaux summit when he slipped and went over the edge of a steep cliff.

His body was recovered yesterday afternoon.

The EPA's Queensland Parks and Wildlife division director, Wolf Sievers, said the seven-kilometre track zigzags through rainforest and there are potential dangers at points along the route.

He says highly visible signs are in place along the track but these will be reviewed as part of the police investigation into the man's death.

Mr Sievers says the EPA periodically reviews its safety procedures.