4wds to the rescue (bet the news doesnt say that)

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 21:22
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Schoolchildren rescued from snow

A group of hikers had to be rescued from freezing conditions in Victoria's high country following heavy early snowfalls.

*************************** The school group of 57 hikers returned to Mansfield about 2pm today after a convoy of four-wheel-drives was called in to rescue them from the Alpine National Park. ***************************

The group, from Girton Grammar school in the Victorian city of Bendigo, was forced to abort a five-day hike to Mount Howitt when unseasonal, icy weather set in a day before the trip was due to end.

Rural Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said rescue crews reached the hikers - including 52 year nine students and five teachers - at Lovick's Hut, east of the Mt Buller ski resort about 11.30am.

It took about 2-1/2 hours to transport the group back to Mansfield, with the vehicles negotiating 15cm of snow.

"They were given something nice and warm to eat and drink ... and are due back in Bendigo about 7-8 o'clock tonight," Mr Mullen said.

"They were cold and miserable but I think they were glad to get back down to Mansfield and get something nice and warm to eat."

Paramedics assessed the group but none - including a student with suspected hypothermia - needed treatment.

The rescue came after one of the party, a 14-year-old girl, was airlifted to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital yesterday afternoon, suffering an unspecified abdominal problem.

The hike is an annual event on the school's outdoor education calendar and the group was well-prepared.

Deputy principal Robyn MacCulloch said the students were safe and well and some were even disappointed to be rescued.

"They're tucking into pizza and soup as we speak," she said.

Ms MacCulloch downplayed the emergency, saying the hikers were never stranded.

"I think the whole thing is a little inflated because they were never really in any difficulty - it was just a decision that was made (to bring them out).

"They were never snowed in, they were never stranded, they could have just walked out, it was just a simple decision they don't have to, why put them through it?"

Ms MacCulloch said the hiking trip had been running for 20 years and would be reviewed this year but blamed the incident on unseasonal weather.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Geoff Kitchen said temperatures in the region dropped below zero for almost a day.

"It's -1 degree Celsius at the minute, so it's below freezing now, and it will have been below freezing since the cold front came through yesterday," he said.

Visibility was down to less than 15 metres at Mount Buller today.

AAP
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Reply By: Member - TPM (SA) - Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 21:57

Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 21:57
I reckon ! Try that rescue in your hybrid / vespa bleeding heart sccoter

or would a smoke blowing lentil powered Kombie get through
AnswerID: 165416

Follow Up By: Crackles - Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 23:25

Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 23:25
Yes "a smoke blowing lentil powered Kombie would get through" to Lovicks Hut in 15 cm of snow actually. Even the Pathfinder would make it ;-)
Cheers Craig.......
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Follow Up By: Member - TPM (SA) - Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 23:50

Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 23:50
I am not so sure of the Pathfinder ? doesnt plastic get brittle in low temperatures !!LOL : 0

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Follow Up By: Crackles - Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 23:58

Thursday, Apr 06, 2006 at 23:58
Yes you're probably right......dare I say best left for picking the kids up from school.
:P
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Follow Up By: Member - TPM (SA) - Friday, Apr 07, 2006 at 00:08

Friday, Apr 07, 2006 at 00:08
Well not really, I have had mine is some places you definatly would not take a soft roader.
Mind you I am not into rock hopping ! : ) I think with some suspension upgrades and some alloy or stele bash plates subsituted for the plastic bleep e underneath it will be quite capable. The TDI engine is certainly not lacking torque or power. In low range 1st the Pathfinder is scary of what it will get through. My bleep e tyres are the only thing holding me back now.

Wow I think you hit a raw nerve ! I think I must be paranoid changing from a Troopy to a Pathy !!! lol
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Reply By: greydemon - Friday, Apr 07, 2006 at 12:11

Friday, Apr 07, 2006 at 12:11
I can recall driving a Lotus Elan 2+2 home through a damn sight more snow that that in the UK.

Mind you, although it didn't snow any more the buses couldn't get through the next day so maybe the fact that I was driving home from an evening in the pub helped a bit !

8-)
AnswerID: 165560

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