Missing Bushwalkers - Blue Mountains, Oz

[Iceaxe]

Police lead search for missing bushwalkers - Blue Mountains
Thursday, 08 Jan 2009

Police are about to resume a search for two bushwalkers, overdue on a canyoning trip in the Blue Mountains.

Around 10.30am on Tuesday 6 January, a 64-year-old man from Mount Wilson and a 42-year-old man from Turramurra set out on a day trek along the Du Faurs Creek firetrail through Clatterteeth Canyon.

Carrying food, a space blanket and a first aid kit among their supplies, the pair had planned to reach Mount Wilson by 6pm.

Around 9am yesterday, a relative of the older man contacted police and reported them missing.

Police from the Blue Mountains Local Area Command established a Command Post at the Mount Wilson Rural Fire Station and co-ordinated a search involving police and R.F.S. ground teams and Polair.

Two specially-trained Police Rescue personnel entered the canyon in a bid to follow the trail and locate the men.

That search was not successful and the operation was postponed due to bad light.

A larger search operation is due to commence at 8am today.

The older man is described as an experienced bushwalker/canyoner and has completed the same planned walk on several occasions.

He is described as tall with a medium build and was last seen wearing dark green shorts and a pale green shirt.

The 42-year-old is also tall with a medium build and was last seen wearing a t-shirt and denim shorts.

Both trekkers were carrying black backpacks and wetsuits.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the pair is urged to contact Katoomba Police on (02) 4782 8199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

[Iceaxe]

Search continues for canyoners missing in Blue Mountains
January 08, 2009
Australian Associated Press

EMERGENCY services will bolster search efforts for two men missing on a canyoning trip in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.

The men, aged 64 and 42, set out on a day trek along the Du Faurs Creek fire trail through Clatterteeth Canyon near Mt Wilson, about 10.30am (AEDT) on Tuesday.

The pair was due to finish the trek at 6pm on Tuesday, and was reported missing by a family member about 9am yesterday.

Ground and air searches, including help from specially-trained police, failed to find the men and was postponed on late yesterday afternoon due to bad light. Police said a "larger" search, using more resources and covering a greater area, would continue from 8am today.

The older man, from Mount Wilson, is described as an "experienced canyoner" by police and has completed the planned trek on several occasions.

The men were carrying backpacks, wetsuits, food, and a first aid kit.

Warning for bushwalkers

Meanwhile, police have issued a warning to bushwalkers and canyoners following a spate of rescues in the Blue Mountains area.

Yesterday afternoon police and the State Emergency Service conducted a search by ground and air for a 43-year-old man who wandered off from a bushwalking group and became lost near Cascade Falls at Leura.

The man was found and reunited with his companions.

Police were also called to Wentworth Falls about 8.30pm yesterday by two German tourists who had lost their bearings.

The women, aged 20 and 22, who were not prepared for overnight conditions, were located at about 11pm at Lindemans Pass.

Police have issued a reminder to bushwalkers to be properly equipped - including carrying an emergency beacon - before setting off, as well as informing a reliable person of the intended route and time of return.

[Iceaxe]

[b]Two bushwalkers located safe and well

[Jaxx]

Glad to hear they were ok after the last couple of missing people reports.