Mr Benchea was rock climbing with Jason Nikakis when he fell 12 metres, injuring his lower back, pelvis and both ankles.

The men were climbing Quincas Borba, a 140-metre climb on The Fortress in the Victoria Range, in the south- west of the Grampians.

Victoria Police's Search and Rescue Squad had rescued Mr Benchea on three previous occasions, a failed attempt to sea kayak to Tasmania, a failed attempt to rescue the sea kayak from Wilson's Promontory and a rescue at Mt Buller.

Sergeant James Bate, of the Search and Rescue Squad, said although even the most experienced rock climbers experienced accidents, people should be better prepared.

Sgt Bate said that after rescuing Mr Benchea four times it was clear the incidents were more than just bad luck.

"It's better if they are adequately prepared, so it's less likely things go wrong," he said. "You could say he could have had better judgment about the protection he had, and selecting a climb above his skill level."

Sergeant Daryl Harrison of Halls Gap police said Mr Nikakis had to lower Mr Benchea down 12 metres to a ledge after the fall, which occurred about 11.15am.

Mr Nikakis called for an ambulance.

Sgt Harrison said after both the ambulance and police helicopters deemed it too risky to winch Mr Benchea out, rescuers were called on to carry him out.

More than 30 SES members from Horsham, Ararat, Stawell, Balmoral, Rupanyup and Dunkeld and the Arapiles Rescue Group, plus four Parks Victoria rangers and Halls Gap police officer Senior Constable Wendy Wheaton assisted with the rescue.

Sgt Harrison said rescuers put Mr Benchea in a neck brace and vacuum mattress to stabilise his neck and back.

Sergeant Simon Brand, of the Search and Rescue Group, assisted lowering Mr Benchea 60 metres to the ground where rescuers carried him four kilometres. It took about 312 hours for rescuers to negotiate rugged terrain and reach a waiting four- wheel-drive, which drove Mr Benchea 30 minutes to a waiting ambulance.

He was driven to Hamilton Base Hospital and then transported by air ambulance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Mr Benchea remained in a stable condition yesterday.