Solo walker rescued from Overland Track after icy river fall

Tasmanian adventurer Fiona Weaver has recounted her dramatic rescue from the Overland Track after a fall into an icy river left her cold, soaked, and exhausted.

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I knew my risk, I had a friend, I had someone meeting me at the end, I had a shuttle bus, I spoke to the rangers in charge. I would say I was overly prepared, if that is even a word for having a hike in the woods.

Weaver, who runs an adventure tourism business, was undertaking the 65-kilometer trek alone after a friend canceled last minute. She was well-prepared, carrying an emergency locator beacon and six days' worth of supplies, and was due to meet another friend partway through the journey.

"I knew my risk, I had a friend, I had someone meeting me at the end, I had a shuttle bus, I spoke to the rangers in charge," Weaver told 936 ABC Hobart. "I would say I was overly prepared, if that is even a word for having a hike in the woods."

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I was submerged into about 45 centimetres of water.

Despite initial smooth progress, a heavy downpour on the second day led her to reassess the journey. The following morning, while navigating the Forth River Valley, she fell from a wooden crossing into an icy river, losing her hiking bag. Submerged in about 45 centimeters of water, she managed to retrieve her torch but not her pack.

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cold, soaked and exhausted

Deciding to return to the nearest hut, New Pelion Hut, she found it lacked lighting and heating. Uncertain if her submerged emergency beacon had transmitted, she activated it again. Twelve hours later, she heard the rescue helicopter. "I cannot put into words the gratitude I feel for the crew who brought me safely home," she said.

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About 12 hours later, warming up in the sun and preparing to head back to Kia Ora [Hut] to dry out… I heard the unmistakable roar of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.