A heartbreaking tragedy has unfolded in Victoria’s High Country, where two young women were found dead on Mount Bogong after enduring freezing blizzard conditions for several days.
The pair were discovered by hikers in an exposed area between Cleve Cole Hut and the Summit Hut, at an altitude of over 1700 metres. Emergency services were alerted just before 1pm on Friday, triggering a complex recovery mission hampered by the mountain’s rugged terrain and severe weather.
Police believe the women, aged in their 20s or 30s, succumbed to hypothermia after being trapped in extreme conditions for two or three days. They were found huddled together, a sign they may have tried desperately to preserve warmth.
Inspector Paul Hargreaves said the women’s identities remain unknown, as there are currently no missing persons reports matching their descriptions. “We will continue our inquiries to establish their identity. It’s fair to say they may have been there for the last two to three days,” he said.
Uniformed officers, search and rescue teams, and the Police Air Wing worked through the night, camping in the area before successfully retrieving the bodies by helicopter on Saturday morning. The deaths are not being treated as suspicious, and police believe the pair were hiking and camping on the mountain with a tent and cold-weather gear.
Authorities have appealed to anyone who recently hiked in the area and may have seen individuals appearing lost or inadequately dressed to come forward.
Inspector Hargreaves warned of the dangers of hiking in Victoria’s alpine regions, especially in unpredictable spring conditions. “If you don’t have the right equipment or experience, it becomes very dangerous. It is not uncommon for police to rescue people from these areas,” he said.
Mount Bogong has faced a severe cold snap in recent days, with temperatures plummeting to -3°C and winds reaching 83km/h. Geoff Stephens, secretary of the Mount Bogong Club, described the conditions as “atrocious” and “terrifying,” noting that even experienced hikers can be caught out by sudden weather changes.
“It’s very exposed up there,” he said. “People underestimate how quickly conditions can change. It’s not just a walk in the park.”
The tragedy has renewed calls for hikers to carry personal location beacons (PLBs), maintain charged phones, and ensure they are fully equipped before venturing into Victoria’s alpine wilderness.
