Two climbers were rescued from the top of the Totem Pole at Cape Huoy on the Tasman Peninsula overnight.
"About 6pm last night, Police Search and Rescue were notified that two climbers had become stuck at the top of a feature known as the Totem Pole at Cape Huoy on the Tasman Peninsula," said Senior Constable Callum Herbert from Police Search and Rescue.
"The climbers reported that due to high winds their ropes had become entangled and they were unable to reach safety."
"Initial attempts to rescue the climbers by helicopter with deployment of a vertical rescue team was aborted due to high winds."
"In partnership with the Climbing Club of Tasmania Vertical Rescue Team, members of Police Search and Rescue and Ambulance Tasmania attempted to gain access to the Totem Pole via nearby cliffs using a police vessel, this was also unsuccessful due to a significant and dangerous swell."
"About 11:30pm, rescue teams departed from Fortescue Bay on foot and found the climbers at the top of the Totem Pole."
"Members from the Climbing Club of Tasmania Vertical Rescue Team conducted a complicated vertical rescue of the two climbers. This involved members of the club partially scaling the Totem Pole in wet, dark and windy conditions. After communication and contact was made with the climbers they were secured to rescue ropes, moved to cliffs on the mainland and as dawn broke they were hauled approximately 50 metres to safety."
"The climbers were treated at the scene by a wilderness paramedic but aside from being hungry, tired and cold, they had no injuries."
The climbers were from interstate and had reasonable climbing experience.
"This was a particularly complicated rescue from a sheer sided standing rock 60 metres in the air. It was done at night in cold, wet and windy conditions by a team of dedicated volunteers and they have ours and the climbers heartfelt thanks."
