A group of seven bushwalkers spent the night in a makeshift shelter in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve after being caught off-guard by the sudden change of weather on Sunday afternoon.
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It was the second incident in 24 hours where police say people had entered bushland inadequately prepared and without a contingency plan.
The group of walkers entered the reserve at 5am Sunday - wearing light clothing and carrying only daypacks - and had not returned by 8.30pm.
They alerted friends by text to their predicament and decided to seek shelter in the bush overnight.
While there were no real concerns for the group's safety, the poor overnight weather prompted ACT Rangers and ACT Policing's Specialist Response Group's search and rescue team to head to the location at first light.
Police said the group had walked out on their own and did not require assistance.
On Saturday, the search and rescue team was called to the Brindabella Ranges after a 4WD with two men, a toddler and two infants on board became bogged on tracks near the Mount Coree turnoff.
Police said one of the men walked some distance to find mobile phone service, then texted their location. The search and rescue team was despatched, but a passing vehicle had provided a tow before police arrived.
Sergeant Will Collins said the incidents should remind people they need to prepare carefully if heading into the bush.
“We would encourage anyone who is heading into a remote area to follow the practice of preparing for a range of weather contingencies and unforseen circumstances, and always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return,” Sergeant Collins said.
