Hikers rescued from NSW blizzard, another pair being rescued in Victoria

A second group of hikers needs rescuing as snow season cements itself across Australia’s alpine regions.

Following a blizzard-hampered rescue effort in NSW on Sunday, authorities say another pair of hikers require rescuing, this time in Victoria.

This second pair of hikers have run into trouble at Wonnangatta in Victoria’s northeast in an area between Mount Buller and Mount Hotham.

“A rescue is currently underway of two hikers on (a) Wonnangatta walking track,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said about noon Monday.

The alarm was raised on Monday morning and the pair were being “walked out”, the spokesperson told NewsWire.

This second rescue of hikers comes after authorities needed snowmobiles to get to a convoy of vehicles stuck in snow at Mount Hotham on Saturday night.

“Snowgoers are warned to obey road closures signs to allow emergency services to continue their search of the area to identify if there are any further people who require rescue,” the police spokesperson said.

“Police are urging people to heed weather warnings, monitor conditions and ensure their vehicles are appropriately equipped for the conditions.”

Millions of Aussies woke up to freezing temperatures on Monday.

Feel-like temperatures hit the negatives in parts of Sydney, dropping as low as -5Cs in Katoomba, with a possibility of snow, and -2C in Sutherland Shire.

In Orange, in NSW, a dusting of snow scattered the roads as temperatures dropped to negative three.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Helen Reid said the cold temperatures came as a shock to many people.

“We have these lovely days, and all of a sudden, ‘wham’, the temperature drops,” she said.

“The low-pressure system that’s driving the cold weather is now to the east, and it’s still bringing in that southerly flow.”

In Mount Carruthers, a 31-year-old man and 28-year-old woman became stranded in a blizzard, about 3km from Mount Kosciuszko, on Saturday, with rescue efforts hampered by a “white out” blizzard and strong winds.

Alpine rescue staff from the NSW SES and police had gone out to help the pair, along with paramedics and the police rescue squad.

About noon on Saturday, the rescue party got within 1.2km of the stranded bushwalkers, but the extreme conditions forced them to turn back.

Specialist emergency services were then forced to take over the search, and were finally able to reach the pair, who were unharmed, in the early hours of Sunday.

About 10.30pm the specialist alpine police and SES crews hiked to the stranded pair.

Footage released by police shows at least nine people trudging through darkness, as wind drives snow sideways.

Just after midnight Sunday, the pair were escorted to a makeshift camp set up by rescuers, but the group had to wait there again as the Snowy River rose, and more strong winds and heavy snowfall inhibited their descent.

Everybody got off the mountain about 4am Sunday, police said.

The incident comes as the ski season officially kicks off in Australia’s alpine regions.

Monaro police Acting Inspector Andrew Woods said bushwalkers need to be prepared and should consult checklists such as the Think Before Trek guide.

“As we move into the snow season, it’s vital that Kosciuszko National Park users are properly prepared before venturing into alpine regions,” he said.

“It’s highly recommended that park users monitor weather forecasts closely and continually as conditions change quickly.

“The use of the online National parks and Wildlife Services Trip Intention Forms and personal locator beacon is strongly encouraged.”

The ski resorts at Mount Kosciuszko have received up to 30cm of snow since Saturday – the official start of ski season in Australia.

In Victoria, 13 people became stranded in their cars about 10.50pm on Saturday near Mount Hotham.

The convoy was snowed-in overnight into Sunday, remaining stuck for about 19 hours as more than 50cm of snow fell.

A man in his 40s had minor injuries after his vehicle rolled, and a fire truck became stuck after being deployed to help.

Rescue crews rode snowmobiles into the Blue Rag Range Track, near Dargo High Plains Road, with

People in the stranded vehicles had food, water and protection from the elements, emergency services said.

The cold snap extends across much of the county’s south and southeast.

On Monday morning, 30km/h winds at Ben Nevis in Victoria’s southwest drove the “feels- like” temperature down to -2.4C at 10am.

Melbourne is forecast for a top of 14C Monday as the AFL hosts the traditional Big Freeze Fight MND fundraiser at the MCG. Temperatures in the capital city are not expected to get above 15C for the next week.

On Monday morning, strong and steady winds nearing 40km/h are making Launceston Airport feel about 1.6C.

The metropolitan and southern coasts of Western Australia are subject to strong wind warnings, including a gale warning for Albany.