Hiker sent final message to mum before dying with friend from exposure
Two teenage housemates died of hypothermia huddled together near Bogong Mountain after one of them sent a final, tragic text to his mother complaining about exhaustion.
A Victorian coroner found Yuhan Jin, 24, and Yewen Wang, 30, were likely disoriented in severe weather conditions after embarking on the arduous walk despite their inexperience.
Chinese students at Monash University told a classmate they planned to hike the three- to four-day trail to Victoria’s highest peak, which is about 54 kilometres, according to a finding released on Thursday.
While Yuhan was described by his friends as adventurous and energetic, the only walk the duo had previously taken was a short day trip.
Coroner David Ryan said the pair had bought walking equipment in the city before leaving their home in Clayton at 10.30pm on October 1 last year.
After driving overnight to the Mountain Creek Campground parking lot in Tawonga, north of Mount Beauty, Yuhan sent a WeChat message to his mother in China at 8:30 a.m. saying they were going for a hike. It contained a screenshot of their planned route.
The coroner said Yuhan sent a series of photos and videos showing they were well equipped during the trip, with a backpack, walking pole and appropriate, warm clothing.
However, the photographs also showed a thick layer of snow on the track, and it was noted that the weather conditions in the region had temperatures ranging from -3.2 to 8.1 degrees, strong winds, heavy snow, hail, rain and whiteout conditions.
Around 18:00, Yuhan sent a voice message to his mother and the couple was never heard from again.
“It was really hard, really hard. Oh my God, I’m so tired,” she said.
“Oh my God, what a day! We only walked for six hours! First it rained, then it snowed, then
greeted.
On October 3, the couple’s bodies were found by a couple walking in the area. They were huddled together on a sleeping bag, but neither woman was wearing shell jackets or beanies and had no shelter.
According to the findings, “Police noted that although they had appropriate and adequate clothing, they were not wearing these clothing when they died.”
The couple likely became “dazed, disoriented and exhausted” on the evening of October 2 and died from hypothermia and the effects of exposure, Ryan said.
“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 in the fact that they are together
when they die.”
Ryan said the trail the duo took was challenging and navigation could be extremely difficult. He advised visitors to the area to be aware that weather conditions can be severe at any time of the year and that planning and preparation are critical.
“Visitors must make practical and realistic assessments of their own abilities, capacities and limitations,” he said.
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