Search for missing canyoner in Blue Mountains pushed back amid ‘poor conditions’

A desperate search to find a missing canyoner lost in New South Wales’ rugged Blue Mountains due to begin this morning has been pushed back, amid “poor” conditions.

The search was expected to resume at Mt Wilson at 7am today, but police confirmed it will now start around 9am.

Today reporter Gabrielle Boyle said wet weather is hampering efforts to locate the 39-year-old man from St Ives.

“We had very heavy fog, drizzling rain and pretty poor visibility making things really difficult for crews,” she said.

“Very difficult conditions for searching this morning.

“(It’s a) very difficult time for the friends who were with the 39-year-old man at the time he got into trouble.”

The search for a missing canyoner began at 5pm yesterday after officers arrived on scene.

The man is believed to have encountered difficulty in the Wollangambe River, which is part of the Hawkesbury–Nepean catchment.

Police said the man was part of a larger group, and all others involved had made their way out of the area.

The two women were dragged into a whirlpool while canyoning in January.

The Blue Mountains lies west of Sydney and is known for its soaring sandstone cliffs and remote bushland.