Mt Skene Snow rescue.

Submitted: Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 16:41

ThreadID: 59887 Views:3287 Replies:4 FollowUps:7

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Crackles

Article in the Herald Sun today is a timely warning for those ill prepared for snow travel. The Jamieson/Licola road is one of a handful still open during winter that is regularly covered in snow up to 1m deep at times. Even though it was only 300mm the family involved were travelling alone & were caught out near the summit, the trailer no doubt contributing to their predicament.
The main road regularly catches drivers out that don't heed the warning signs at the start of the hill then follow the wheel ruts of other drivers. (who unbeknown to them probably had 35" swampers on;-) Alls well that ends well.
Cheers Craig..........

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Reply By: Waynepd (NSW) - Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 16:59

Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 16:59

It was good to see Batman came to the rescue.....
Seriously though that is a very lucky family it could have been a lot worse. Especially with such a young bub on board, doesn't take much for them to get chilled.

AnswerID: 315919

Follow Up By: Crackles - Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 17:26

Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 17:26

If the story is correct then it appears the authorities had trouble getting the Batmobile up from the Jameison side which leaves some doubt as to the abilities of the Caped Crusaders seeing the fella they were rescuing drove his old 60 series (without Chains) towing a trailer up that way.
5 hours to reach them........ it's less than a 2 hour drive from Mansfield? Must have stopped at the Courthouse Hotel for a Counter meal :-))
Cheers Craig.........

FollowupID: 582145

Follow Up By: Tim - Stratford (VIC) - Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 18:23

Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 18:23

Crackles,

Fairly deep snow up that way at the moment. The family headed off from the Gippsland side and the police coming from the other side couldn't make it. They then had to contact the Gippsland side police who headed up and got to the vehicle.

Apparently it was getting a bit icy - and for anyone who asks - the police had chains!!!

Tim

FollowupID: 582157

Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 20:41

Friday, Jul 18, 2008 at 20:41

Oh what a feeling!!!!

Of despair if the family had to stay there more then had to! Kudos to everyone involved in the rescue and a good reminder to carry chains at all times when in snowy conditions!!!

Cheers

FollowupID: 582180

Reply By: Tony - Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 00:44

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 00:44

It has been said on the local news that they were following the "Navman". They were heading home to QLD.

AnswerID: 315966

Follow Up By: Crackles - Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 13:20

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 13:20

In this case the Navman probably only contributed slightly to their predicament as the Skene Road is a major 2WD route being both the fastest & most direct from central Gippsland to North East Vic. Reading a paper map anyone with a 4WD not knowing the area would be excused for going the same way. Possibly they may have been looking at the GPS screen when they passed the sign, "Road Closed due to Snow". People however have been driving over the summit all week so more preparation or stopping & asking for local knowledge may have been prudent.
Cheers Craig...........

FollowupID: 582310

Reply By: DarrynJ - Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 10:24

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 10:24

Its the second rescue from that area this month, both due to people blindly following the "Navman" style of GPS Navigator. The first one this month had someone tow a caravan from Jamieson who got over Mt Skene but then followed the GPS down Lazarini Spur. AFIK the caravan is still there. WIN news Victoria ran a story the night after the second one with a local Police Inspector telling people to be prepared in the High Country and not to blindly follow GPS Navigators set on shortest route.

Cheers Darryn

AnswerID: 315997

Reply By: DIO - Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 13:05

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 13:05

Stupid people will always choose to ignore safety warning signs. Doesn't matter how much authorities spend to provide 'safer motoring' many will still suffer death or injury or worse still expose rescue groups to unecessary risks. Time for such areas to be com=letely closed off during winter months at least the environment will get a chance to rest and repair itself.

AnswerID: 316021

Follow Up By: Crackles - Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 13:44

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 13:44

I neither think these people to be stupid nor should the road be completely closed off. A few thousand of us 4 wheel drivers pass those signs every year, some to drive in the snow others to go tobogganing or skiing. It's a recreation area used by many not unlike the main road heading to Mt Stirling, the difference being there are no facilities or Rangers to pull you out. On a weekend it wouldn't have been a problem as there'd be allot of others around but midweek, inexperienced & without local knowledge I'd put this down to misadventure :-)
Closing it for winter to repair itself? It's a main gravel road, 4 lanes wide in places! There are no bog holes or anything to rest.
Cheers Craig............

FollowupID: 582312

Follow Up By: Member - Bill F (VIC) - Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 15:37

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 15:37

Hi DIO

I do not agree with closing or banning something just because ill prepared people will not investigate existing conditions

The Environment rested and repaired itself over summer for me to enjoy the snow environment this winter

Well said Craig

FollowupID: 582326