On Thursday the 11th of October 2018 at 19h39, WSAR was activated by the Western Cape Department of Health to respond to an incident that was reported.

A hiker who was descending Nursery Ravine in the northern section of the Table Mountain National Park, had lost sight of the path, and was unable to orientate while trying to get back on track.

A hasty team was dispatched to an area above the Kirstenbosch Gardens, and from there they hiked up the ravine to search for the missing hiker. The low temperature was a worry as it was not known what clothing the stationary hiker was wearing. Hypothermia is a real safety concern.

After about thirty minutes the team managed to make audio contact with the stricken hiker. By 20h50 they had made visual and verbal contact with the person, and on arrival at the patient’s location, it was discovered that the person was off the path and stuck on a ledge. An assessment of the hiker’s condition was made by the two Metro Rescue medics, and after satisfying themselves that the patient was fit enough to be walked out, the rescue party manoeuvred themselves and the patient while safely negotiating the terrain in the dark.

Once on the dedicated path, they made their way back down the ravine to the Contour Path which they reached at 21h10. Here they met up with the back up rescue team, and after doing some radio communications, they proceeded to the nearby jeep track.

A Metro Rescue ATV Rhino as well as a TMNP SANParks 4X4 vehicle were used to transport the patient and the rescuers down to the Mobile Incident Command post which was set up just above the Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Mobile Incident Command vehicle

The use of good lights and whistles proves invaluable in the dark on such call outs.

We urge the public to please:

  • hike in groups
  • be familiar with your intended route
  • stick to dedicated paths
  • carry a map
  • plan your hike so that you are safely off the mountain before sunset
  • carry headlamps and whistles

Fortunately the patient did not require any further assistance.

The operation was concluded by 21h50.

We would like to thank our volunteers and the rest or our service providers for their prompt response.

 

Please call 021 937 0300 or 112 for any mountain or wilderness rescue emergencies.