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Alpine safety

Alpine areas present special safety issues, particularly in winter. This page outlines some of the precautions you should take when visiting these areas.

Important information on the impact of the 2003 bushfires

  • On the western side of the Main Range, fire destroyed some of the shrubs which helped to hold snow in place. Be aware of the risk of possible snow slides on the steeper slopes.
  • Many trees have also been weakened by fire. Do not camp underneath overhanging trees, due to a higher risk of falling branches.
  • Do not rely on finding or staying in huts. A number of huts were either damaged or destroyed by recent fires, including:

    • Boltons
    • Boltons Hill
    • Boobee
    • Brooks
    • Burrungubuggee Shelter
    • Delanys
    • Dr Forbes
    • Geehi
    • Grey Hill Café
    • Happy Jack 3 and 4
    • Linesmans 2
    • O'Keefe's
    • Old Geehi (YHA)
    • Opera House
    • Orange (Diane)
    • Patons
    • Pretty Plain
    • Stockwhip.
More information
Preparation
  • Never travel alone.
  • Know where you are going.
  • If you're going into the backcountry, take a topographic map and a compass and be sure you know how to use them.
  • On any backcountry trip, make sure every member of your group has:

    • Warm clothing
    • Tent
    • Sleeping bag
    • A waterproof jacket with a hood and waterproof overpants
    • A warm hat
    • Plenty of food and drink.
  • The party should also have a first aid kit, and a bivouac bag or space blanket.
  • Tell a reliable friend or relative your:

    • Destination and intended route
    • Alternative destination in case of bad weather
    • Equipment list.
    • When you expect to get back.
  • Don't forget to tell your friend when you do return.

Weather
  • Weather can change very rapidly in the mountains.
  • The alpine area of Kosciuszko National Park experiences extreme weather conditions. A winter storm can bring wind gusts of 150 kilometres per hour and potentially one metre of snow.
  • Do not head off into the alpine backcountry with bad weather (low pressure system) approaching.

Technology
  • Mobile phones have patchy coverage within Kosciuszko National Park. Cold weather can severely affect batteries.
  • GPS (Global Positioning System) devices use a satellite network to provide you with your location. To be of real use, they must be used with topographic maps and a compass. Cold can affect batteries.
  • EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Response Beacons) are for an emergency situation only! They transmit a signal through a satellite network to the emergency centre in Canberra. If you're in the bush a lot, consider buying one. Otherwise, you can hire one from Snowy Region Visitor Centre or good outdoor stores.

Technology will not guarantee your safety. Even if you set off an EPIRB in an emergency, mountain weather means that helicopters may not be able to fly and ground searchers may be hampered by bad weather.

Shelter

Tents

Carry a tent if you are going into the backcountry.

For winter camping, you need a quality mountain tent that will handle strong winds and heavy snow loads.

Mountain tents can be hired.

Snow Caves

You'll need a snow shovel for construction and ski stock for ventilation hole. Keep the shovel inside the snow cave.

Advantages: Can provide complete protection from extreme weather; remains at a constant temperature just above 0°C.

Disadvantages: You're likely to get very wet during construction. Can take 2-4 hours to construct and uses up lots of energy.

Igloos

Advantages: Can provide complete protection from extreme weather.

Disadvantages: Can take 2-5 hours to build, difficult for the inexperienced.

Ventilation

Ventilation in shelters is critical, whether in a snow cave, igloo or tent. It needs to be checked regularly, particularly in windy/snowy weather.

There are 2 dangers. Both can be fatal:

  • Inadequate ventilation can cause a shortage of oxygen.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by incomplete combustion of stove fuel.

Huts

A number of huts in Kosciuszko National Park were destroyed by the 2003 bushfires - see the note at the top of this page for more details.

Don't rely on finding or staying in a hut. Bad weather or the fitness/skills/health of your party might prevent you from reaching the hut.

If lost or injured

  • Stay where you are. If you're on the move, you'll be harder to find and you will use valuable energy.
  • Find a spot out of the wind and make a shelter. Leave something visible for searchers such as an item of colourful clothing, skis or snowboard.
  • If you're in the Main Range (above the treeline) area, do not drop down into the trees except for temporary shelter. The forest areas are dense and rugged. It is almost impossible for helicopters to see people on the ground.
  • If you do drop down into the trees, climb back up into the alpine area where you will be more visible to searchers, when the weather improves.

Hypothermia

In cold and/or wet conditions inadequate clothing, tiredness and insufficient food can combine to cause a lowering of normal body temperature (hypothermia) which can, at its worst, result in collapse or death if untreated.

Danger signs

  • Victim is exhausted, lags behind, stumbles, may have slurred speech and appear drunk, and is reluctant to keep walking or skiing.
  • Victim is cold to touch, pulse is slow and shallow. They may be difficult to reason with.
  • Be aware, signs of hypothermia are often mistaken for fatigue.

Treatment
  • Treat the victim immediately by providing shelter and warmth with warm, dry clothes, sleeping bag or shared body warmth. Warm the person from the inside out - avoid excessive external heat such as placing them near a fire or rubbing the skin. Give warm, sweet tea if the person is conscious.
  • Let their body temperature rise gradually and allow them to rest.

 

 

Page last updated: 22 February 2008