George Howard Michell AC (3 August 1913 – 26 June 2012) was an Australian wool merchant, industrialist and philanthropist.
In 1935 he joined the Adelaide Aero Club On 3 December 1938 Michell married Christine Valerie Tipping at St. Andrew's Church, Walkerville.
[2] In August 1936, at the age of 23, Michell set out on a cross-country skiing expedition to Mount Bogong, Victoria with two experienced skiers, Cleve Cole and Mick Hull.
[3] Leaving Hotham Heights on 5 August, they set out across the Bogong High Plains carrying provisions for several days.
They intended to reach the summit of Mt Bogong and then continue over the far side to the Staircase Hut, in which they had stored provisions for the return trip during the summer.
On 9 August, with food already running short, they decided to make a break for the Staircase Hut, but lost their way in the whiteout conditions.
They were unable to retrace their steps, and therefore wandered for five days without food, descending the wrong side of Mt Bogong in the fog.
On the 14th, the men reached Big River Valley and sought refuge in a hollow log, but they were severely weakened from exhaustion, starvation and exposure.