Two young housemates died from hypothermia huddled together near Mount Bogong after one sent a final, tragic message to her mother complaining of exhaustion.
A Victorian coroner has found Yuhan Jin, 24, and Yewen Wang, 30, likely became disorientated in severe weather conditions after taking on the challenging hike despite their inexperience.
A finding released on Thursday said the Chinese students at Monash University told a classmate they intended on trekking the three to four day circuit to Victoria’s highest peak – a distance of about 54 kilometres.
While Yuhan was described as adventurous and energetic by friends, the only hiking the pair had previously undertaken was a short day trip.
Coroner David Ryan said the pair purchased hiking equipment in the city before leaving their Clayton home at 10.30pm on October 1, last year.
After driving overnight to the Mountain Creek Campground carpark in Tawonga, north of Mount Beauty, Yuhan sent a WeChat message to her mother in China at 8.30am saying they were setting off on their hike. It included a screenshot of their intended route.
The coroner said Yuhan sent a number of photos and videos on the journey which showed they were well-equipped, with a backpack, walking pole and suitable, warm clothing.
But the photos also showed a thick layer of snow over the track and weather conditions in the area were recorded as having temperatures ranging from -3.2 to 8.1 degrees, with high winds, heavy snow, hail, rain and white-out conditions.
At around 6pm, Yuhan sent a voice message to her mother before the pair were never heard from again.
“It was so tough-honestly, just really, really tough. Oh my god, I’m exhausted,” she said.
“Oh my god, what a day! It’s only been six hours of hiking! First it rained, then it snowed, then
it hailed.”
On October 3, the pair’s bodies were found by a couple hiking in the area. They were huddled together on a sleeping bag, but neither woman was wearing their outer shell jackets or beanies and they had no shelter.
“Police noted that, although they had been in possession of suitable and adequate clothing, they had not been wearing it at the time they passed away,” the finding said.
Ryan said it was likely the pair had become “disorientated, confused and fatigued” on the evening of October 2 and died due to the effects of hypothermia and exposure.
“Yuhan and Yewen died after being exposed to the elements in very poor weather conditions while hiking in the Victorian High Country,” he said. “Their families can take some comfort from the fact that they were together
when they passed away.”
Ryan said the track the pair took was challenging and navigation can be extremely difficult. He recommended visitors to the area be aware that weather conditions can be severe at any time of year and planning and preparation was critical.
“Visitors should make practical and realistic assessments of their abilities, capacities and limitations,” he said.
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