Drama on Totem Pole: Climbing in Tasmania saved after unsuccessful descent!

Drama on Totem Pole: Climbing in Tasmania saved after unsuccessful descent!

On February 13, 2025, two climbers experienced a dramatic rescue operation on the notorious "Totem Pole" in Tasmania. This striking natural monument, which upheavals 65 meters high at Cape Hauy, is known for unpredictable weather and dangerous sea conditions. The two adventurers had difficulty getting off the vertical wall because their ropes had caught during a thunderstorm and the strong winds made it impossible to abseil. In their despair, they called for help on Wednesday evening while they were on a small rocky lead. The first rescue attempts using helicopter also failed due to the bad weather conditions.

Even access to the "Totem Pole" is a challenge from country, especially in unfavorable weather conditions. In another rescue attempt with a police boat, the dangerous wave was an additional threat. To reach the climbers, members of the "Climbing Club of Tasmania" finally set off in the dark. They secured the climbers with rescue ropes and transported them to the cliffs on the mainland, where the rescue was continued at dawn. Although the two climbers were hungry, tired and hypothermic, they remained unharmed. The "totem pole" is not only a challenge for climbers, but also a fascinating goal that attracts many adventurous ones worldwide.

a story of survival

The story of the "Totem Pole" is rich in adventures and tragedies. A well -known example is the British climber Paul Pritchard, who was close to losing his life in a climbing accident in 1998. When trying to climb the dead pole, he was hit by a falling stone on the head, causing him to lose consciousness. His friend at the time stabilized him and got help, but Pritchard had to wait ten long hours on a rock plate for rescue.

The complicated location of the "Totem Pole" made a rescue from the air impossible. Neal Smith from Tasmanian Ambulance Service had to descend to help Pritchard. As a result of the accident, Pritchard suffered a serious head injury and spent several weeks in the Royal Hobart Hospital. Despite the dramatic events, he remained true to the climbing scene and joined a team of 11 people to climb the Totem Pole again 18 years later. Today Pritchard wants to use the recordings of his last ascent to create a short film.

fascination and dangers of climbing

The "Totem Pole" not only attracts climbers like Pritchard, but is also known for its demanding routes. Beginners and experienced climbers find the opportunity to test their limits. The vertical ascent takes place over two rope lengths of 25 and 40 meters, and the feeling of exposure, paired with the spectacular view, makes the climbing experience unique.

The ambient conditions on the Tasmanian Peninsula contribute to the attractiveness of the "totem pole". The region offers a variety of sports and alpine climbing routes. The climbers not only enjoy the challenges, but also the opportunity to see whales in the area swimming past. Pritchhard himself, who became hemiplegically after his accident, encourages his children to be a thirst for adventure and ensures that the fascination for climbing from generation to generation is passed on

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The events about the climbers at Totem Pole impressively show the challenges and often the dangers associated with this extraordinary sport. The memories of Pritchhard's tragic experience and the current rescue operation underline the unpredictable nature of climbing in Tasmania.