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Two young housemates died from hypothermia huddled together near Mount Bogong after one sent a final, tragic message to her mother complaining of exhaustion.<\/p>\n
A Victorian coroner has found Yuhan Jin, 24, and Yewen Wang, 30, likely became disorientated in severe weather conditions after taking on the challenging hike despite their inexperience.<\/p>\n
![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fa130be3bec1bcd05b443b6066315f0eeee9eaac.jpeg\")
Police Air Wing vision of the area where the bodies of the young housemates were located near Mount Bogong.Victoria Police<\/p>\n
A finding released on Thursday said the Chinese students at Monash University told a classmate they intended on trekking the three to four day circuit to Victoria\u2019s highest peak \u2013 a distance of about 54 kilometres.<\/p>\n
While Yuhan was described as adventurous and energetic by friends, the only hiking the pair had previously undertaken was a short day trip.<\/p>\n
Coroner David Ryan said the pair purchased hiking equipment in the city before leaving their Clayton home at 10.30pm on October 1, last year.<\/p>\n
After driving overnight to the Mountain Creek Campground carpark in Tawonga, north of Mount Beauty, Yuhan sent a WeChat message to her mother in China at 8.30am saying they were setting off on their hike. It included a screenshot of their intended route.<\/p>\n
The coroner said Yuhan sent a number of photos and videos on the journey which showed they were well-equipped, with a backpack, walking pole and suitable, warm clothing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But the photos also showed a thick layer of snow over the track and weather conditions in the area were recorded as having temperatures ranging from -3.2 to 8.1 degrees, with high winds, heavy snow, hail, rain and white-out conditions.<\/p>\n
At around 6pm, Yuhan sent a voice message to her mother before the pair were never heard from again.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was so tough-honestly, just really, really tough. Oh my god, I\u2019m exhausted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, what a day! It\u2019s only been six hours of hiking! First it rained, then it snowed, then it hailed.\u201d<\/p>\n
On October 3, the pair\u2019s bodies were found by a couple hiking in the area. They were huddled together on a sleeping bag, but neither woman was wearing their outer shell jackets or beanies and they had no shelter.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice noted that, although they had been in possession of suitable and adequate clothing, they had not been wearing it at the time they passed away,\u201d the finding said.<\/p>\n
Related Article Ryan said it was likely the pair had become \u201cdisorientated, confused and fatigued\u201d on the evening of October 2 and died due to the effects of hypothermia and exposure.<\/p>\n \u201cYuhan and Yewen died after being exposed to the elements in very poor weather conditions while hiking in the Victorian High Country,\u201d he said. \u201cTheir families can take some comfort from the fact that they were together when they passed away.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryan said the track the pair took was challenging and navigation can be extremely difficult. He recommended visitors to the area be aware that weather conditions can be severe at any time of year and planning and preparation was critical.<\/p>\n \u201cVisitors should make practical and realistic assessments of their abilities, capacities and limitations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n![\"Cleve](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2f437fc63034a593d3898cc69d1ede9364f0f100.jpeg\")
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