By KAREN FORMAN
SPECIALIST remote area search operators from a number of agencies, including local units, are continuing to search for missing hiker Hadi Nazari on Hannels Spur, in Kosciuszko National Park.
Mr Nazari, 23, was last seen by hiking friends about 2.30pm on Boxing Day while descending the trail, on the Main Range between Khancoban and Thredbo.
His friends told NSW Police they had gone ahead while he had stopped to take some photographs about 3.5km from the finish, but he failed to meet them as arranged at the Geehi campground (400 metres altitude) which is the start or finish point for the hike.
They said they had completed other hikes in Victoria together in the past.
A NSW Police Media spokesman said officers attached to the Riverina Police District were alerted about 8.45pm, and commenced patrols by vehicle and on foot, assisted by the NSW State Emergency Services (SES), but were unable to locate Mr Nazari.
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A command post was established the following day, and a multi-agency search commenced involving Goulburn Police Rescue, officers attached to Riverina Police District, assisted by National Parks and Wildlife Service, SES, NSW Ambulance, VRA and PoLAir.
As the search entered its fifth day, a number of items, including rubbish and hiking poles, were located on the edge of the initial search area. NSW Police believe they belong to Mr Nazari.
Searchers, dealing with high temperatures and rugged terrain, were being transported to the top of the search area by helicopter.
THE SEARCH AREA
Mr Nazari was last seen towards the bottom end of the Hannels Spur track, which was the route of the first ascent of Mt Koscuiszko in March 1840 by the explorer Strzelecki, and is now a bucket list goal for many serious hikers attracted by the challenge of its steep terrain and spectacular views. It is graded a level five hike, for experienced and well prepared hikers only.
Two other easier tracks, 6km from Thredbo and 9km from Charlotte Pass, are most used by tourists wanting to summit Australia’s tallest mountain.
The 23km Hannels Spur track starts opposite the Geehi Flats campground and requires fitness, navigational skills, hiking experience, compasses, maps and safety equipment. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable, the track easily becomes overgrown and the weather in the area can change suddenly, from very hot to stormy and cold. The only access to people on the track is via foot or from the air.
The track offers the greatest elevation gain of any single track in Australia (1800 metres), taking hikers straight uphill via the Moira’s Flat campground, a few kilometres below the snowline, then following a loop to Mt Kosciuszko and down to Thredbo village.
It climbs through varied vegetation and remote wilderness, with fallen logs, overhanging branches, and spikey bushes requiring navigation skills and bushwalking experience. Some hikers do it in a day, but most take two to three days with a camp overnight at Moira’s Flat 6.5km into the journey, where fresh water is available from a stream.
Navigational markers are often missing or have moved and it can be difficult to find the trail. Wildlife tracks can be mistaken for the main trail, leading nowhere.
The temperatures in January average 27 degrees with afternoon storms often reducing temperatures to single figures.
All hikers, year round, are advised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to fill in an online Trip Intention Form prior to their departure, and to take a personal locator beacon (PLB), which are available on loan from the NPWS.
Outdoors experts, such as Lewis Foster from Thredbo based K7 Adventures, advises hikers to take all precautions, even when only going out for short times.
“It really is about knowing your abilities, taking the right equipment and being sensible,” he said.
“As an outdoors person it is always sensible to carry one or two dehydrated emergency meals in the event something doesn’t go to plan. It’s pretty unlikely people would take that to the extreme and carry four extra days worth of food, because increasing the weight of your pack can lead to other issues, but taking some extra is advisable.
“Also a first aid kit, emergency shelters are really good, head torches, batteries, repair kits, filling out trip intention forms, telling other people of your plans, are all important.
“It is a good idea to go with someone, as you have a better safety net when you have friends. And we recommend when you are in a group not to split up, because these sorts of things can happen. Taking walkie talkies can always be helpful.
“Hiking alone depends on ability level of the person, the type of terrain and activity.”
