Two women stranded on Mount Anne in Tasmania’s Southwest National Park amid extreme weather

Two women remain stranded on Mount Anne in Tasmania’s remote Southwest National Park after being caught in extreme weather overnight.

The women, aged 22 and 23, called triple-0 about 6.20pm on Monday, reporting they were unable to continue their hike.

Search controller Callum Herbert told the ABC the pair became stranded after deteriorating conditions left them unable to carry on.

“The two women … reported being reasonably prepared with a tent, sleeping bags, emergency blanket, and food but worsening weather meant they were cold, wet and unable to continue their journey,” Mr Herbert said.

A team of police and wilderness paramedics attempted to reach the hikers on foot overnight but were forced to retreat to Memorial Hut shortly before 3am as conditions worsened, with winds exceeding 100km/h and heavy snowfall.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania was also deployed but couldn’t reach the site known as “The Notch” because of strong winds, low cloud, and poor visibility.

Police said rescue efforts were continuing as weather conditions allowed.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to safely reach the stranded bushwalkers.

More to come