The Greens oppose the CPRS not because it is too weak, but because it will point Australia in the wrong direction with little prospect of turning it around in the timeframe within which emissions must peak, says Senator Christine Milne.
How to survive on a freezing mountaintop
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It isn’t yet known how Tim Holding became lost on Mt Feathertop and whether illness or exposure to the elements were factors. But he is safe. According to the most recent reports, the Victorian Minister for Water and Tourism was spotted by a helicopter several ridges down from the peak of Mt Feathertop, in Victoria’s alpine country, around 10am today. Victorian Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walsh said Mr Holding was found a few kilometres from a shelter called Federation Hut, where he was last seen. I, like thousands of bushwalkers, have “done” Feathertop, once on cross country skis via the easy Razorback approach, and often by the NW spur and the MUMC hut, in winter and summer. Here’s my take on surviving the conditions: Q: Is it easy to get lost on Feathertop?
A: No. Not unless you are in difficulties from really bad visibility, which may have been the case for Holding from all reports, or struck by some sort of illness, like a migraine attack, or snowblind, or lame and overtaken by exposure. Q: What is exposure?
A: Loss of sufficient core body heat to become confused, slow and uncoordinated. Most experienced high country walkers, like Holding, will have seen the initially mild onset of exposure in themselves or others will walking in cold and windy conditions, especially in wet rather than snowy weather, when your clothing can become saturated. Q: How do you handle exposure?
A: You go back to shelter, say the nearest hut or your last campsite, or if it is more serious, find shelter as best you can and conserve your warmth and if possible brew something hot like dehydrated soup over a small “bivvy” stove. Holding was found in what sounds like an improvised shelter below the snow line. Q: What are the other keys to snow or cold country wilderness survival? A: Be well equipped, like Holding is said to have been. Understand how to make a snow cave if you have to, and carry a little lightweight scooper for this purpose. This is a serious business. Ensure you have good ventilation if using a little fuel or gas stove, because carbon monoxide kills quickly, and is odourless. On 7 August 1999 four snowboarders dug a snow cave near the top of Crackenback and were not found for 101 days and are believed to have been asphyxiated by the stove they carried. In these times everyone should also have a GPS hand unit so they can navigate in low visibility. We know Holding had a mobile phone and may well have had a GPS too, so that if he had been able to make a call he could have read off his location. Never go on a snow walk without high energy rations and a few litres of water even if you don’t expect to be caught out. Q: Are there other hazards?
A: In high winds and especially snow be wary of falling branches. Down lower on Feathertop but well within snow territory a lot of wind damage is seasonally evident, and I have heard branches fall down on the spur below the MUMC hut. Q: Is Feathertop right for solo walkers?
A: Just about as right as can be. Well defined routes, a quick height gain, grand high country views, and you usually meet people. But watch your step on top, as most winters it grows a big overhanging “whipped cream” snow cornice, for which it was so named, and cornices collapse and the feather on Feathertop could drop you a long way into the “cactus”. View our Crikey Clarifier archive |
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17 Comments
Now that Minister Holding has been found, I hope he has the temerity to apologise to the community for his stupid behaviour in bushwalking alone without the facility to be easily found. This episode is a salutary warning for those members of the community whose ego exceeds their analytical capabilities.
As a community leader he has a greater responsibility to set an example to others, especially in view of his past ministerial responsibility for Police and Emergency Services. Whilst I am relieved that he has been found, I am distressed at his lack of capacity for rational judgement. Significant community resources have had to be mobilised to find this fool whose capacity for future leadership, already in doubt should now be seriously questioned.
Finding him alive is the best possible outcome. Well done to all involved.
I don’t know the dangers of hiking alone in those conditions, but Mr Holding is an experienced hiker and he took adequate equipment to survive 2 nights in sub-zero temperatures.
Without knowing the full circumstances, it seems a little early to be questioning his judgement and bringing out the knives …
I completely disagree with greg on this one, and would like he and other to consider that this issue is bigger than he realises.
For starters, Holding left detailed instructions of where he was going and when he would return. If he was whited-out (no details have emerged yet, so it’s best not to speculate too much) it would have mattered nought if he was solo or with others.
My main issue with Greg’s (and presumably others’) attitudes is that what you’re really talking about is limiting an individual’s ability to have an adventure. This is an ongoing discussion on the climbing and skiing fora; when do you call in the cavalry and whose responsibility is it? It is hard to determine the difference between recklessness and intent when someone is gone longer than expected. Maybe they found the perfect snow chute and lost track of time? Maybe they just wanted one more day of the good climbing conditions?
My point is that someone was out longer than expected does not make them irresponsible. The fact it was a Minister makes no difference, unless you think some humans are worth more than others. The rescuers did not ‘have to’ rescue him; Tim knew the risks, took them and was prepared for the consequences. Who’s to say he could not have got out under his own steam in a day or 2? Moralising about it helps no one.
Holding went fully equipped. But he left his brain at home in the sock drawer.
The ideal miniumum on a trip is 4 . If someone is injured then one person stays and two go for help. If Holding was keen to go by himself why wouldn’t he hire the latest Personal Locating Beacons EPIRB. They are compulsory for off shore cruising as far as I know.
The other device new this year is the SPOT which will transmit your position and send various prerecorded messages to friends or the authorities ( see
http://paddlingtravelers.blogspot.com/2008/02/emergency-messaging-and-mapsinshore-and.html)
For mobiles always text rather than use voice if signal is weak.
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Remember that dialling emergency 912 apparently tries all mobile carriers.
Ian Grainger
Should be 112 no 912 in previous post
Ian Grainger
The body language of Mr Holding and his partner at their reunion as shown on TV news is interesting. Have a look and see what you think.
Oh for heaven’s sake, haters. We don’t even know how he came to be in a position where he needed to be rescued. By all accounts he acted responsibly at every point. Good on him for climbing mountains rather than hanging out at home in front of the computer making know-it-all comments about other people.
And his body language only showed that he was uncomfortable with being met by a swarm of cameras. The guy is clearly too cool to be acting like a reality show contestant.
Evan Beaver: I wrote you a garland of flowers at ‘Climate Expert Slams Fielding’. Bernard Keane. As it is an older piece you may miss it. I don’t want thanks, I just wanted to congratulate you. See comment.
By the way, TV news people, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know that despite the stupid, almost invasive footage, stupid claims of finding the man yourselves, and the stupid ads with the stupid dramatic music, I still have the same level of respect for you that I had before - none. And your format is still dying. Thankyou.
Just one more post to prove I can post more than anyone else.
I’d like to join Evan in disagreeing completely with Greg. As someone who has made solo and pair day walks many times (albeit not in snow), sometimes it is unfeasable to travel in a group of four or more (for one thing it needs several mates that share your passion!), and sometimes you just want the thrill of doing it by yourself.
As long as one prepares well - and there is every indication Mr Holding did just that - there should be a place reserved for “ordinary” adventurers who push their personal limits in a responsible way. What a boring world it would be if none of us dared undertake a task which might go pear-shaped.
The only criticism that can be levelled at Mr Holding is that he should have been carrying a EPIRB/PLB especially since he was travelling alone. One mistake on his part - we’re all entitled to make them, after all even Ministers of the Crown are human.
The Hon Minister was NOT well equipped to make the walk under those conditions for at least two reasons.
1 No EPIRB
2 Incorrect/inadequte footwear.
When he reappears in public the least he can do is fess up to being inadequately prepared and recommend as Tourisn Minister that others who wish to literally follow in his footsteps learn from his foolhardy actions and purchase or hire an EPIRB.
Mobile phones have a habit of not working when you most need them!
Remember there were 80+ persons involved in searching for him under extreme conditions. How would he look and feel if one or more of them had been injured or worse?
He made a mistake, Geoffrey - it hardly makes him foolhardy. I have forgotten to take my EPIRB occassionally on solo/pair walks, only to realise when I unpacked upon my return and then thought, “thank goodness I didn’t need it!”
There but for the grace of god and all that…
But I wholeheartedly agree with the recommendation to purchase or hire a PLB. I believe some of the more well-trodden trails even offer free PLB hire (I’m sure a deposit is payable) and this incident demonstrates that this would be a worthwhile investment for the authorities to make.
What on earth are you arguing about, Northcote and Schultz? Isn’t it bad enough that the bastard is back again. So that he continue to pretend to be doing something about the appalling disregard he is showing towards the environment. Whilst farmers are free to apply to the minister to eliminate all possible indigenous animals which threaten their right to destroy everything that nature gave us.
Stop boasting as to who has the best hiking knowledge. It’s a waste of time.
I’m more curious as to why TH took enough food for several days, suggesting good forward planning, but failed to take a an EPIRB. Could I be excused for feeling the two go together. It’s like packing to travel isn’t it - Passport, ticket and credit/debit card? The three basic requirements. And am I old fashioned in believing you don’t travel in the bush without matches, a piece of string and a pocket knife? And in country that blinded out, a compass?
One thing’s for sure, he got publicity you just can’t buy any other way. And an up-graded profile. Although Channel 9 viewers might find themselves searching for Tim HOLDEN on the ballot paper.
And Dean, I missed the reunion with his partner. If I had, what would I have been looking for that I would have found interesting?