It was high drama in the NSW Snowy Mountains last weekend when two bushwalkers needed rescuing after becoming stranded on a ledge.
The pair were saved during a complex 24-hour mission in remote terrain, with crews navigating 350-metre cliffs in treacherous conditions.
The two young women had been hiking in the New South Wales backcountry at Watsons Crags when they became stuck on a narrow ledge on Tuesday evening and called for help.
NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Snowy Monaro local commander Chief Inspector Malika Bailey said crews were working against the clock as nightfall approached and “atrocious” weather conditions closed in.
“We had wind gusts up to 80 kilometres an hour,” Ms Bailey told the ABC.
“We had horizontal rain and heavy rain. We had strong winds. We had some lightning … so we had significant weather concerns.”
A team of 14 specialist alpine search and rescue volunteers travelled kilometres by vehicle before continuing on foot, carrying technical equipment across rugged terrain. They then undertook a 350-metre vertical descent to reach the stranded hikers.
Rescuers abseiled down the cliff face on ropes before securing the bushwalkers and guiding them safely back up.
Ms Bailey said her team was experienced in operating in the challenging terrain of the NSW Alps, but described the mission as one of the more complex rescues they had faced.
“Mother Nature is very cheeky,” she said.
“We always prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”