Table Mountain National Park

On Friday the 16th of February 2019 at 14h21, the Peninsula Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was activated by the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after a call for assistance was received.

The caller had reported that a 25 year old male hiker had injured his ankle while out hiking on Table Mountain. The party had made their way to the Waterworks Museum at the Back Table where they could be easily located and assisted.

A Metro Rescue 4×4 vehicle and Medical crew was dispatched to ascend the mountain via the Bridal Path management road from Constantia Nek. A SANParks 4×4 vehicle and a crew of Visitor Safety Patrollers also responded in that direction and were able to reach the stricken party. They managed to drive the casualty party off the mountain to Constantia Nek after which the patient was privately  transported to a medical facility.

We wish the gentleman a speedy recovery.

Skeleton Gorge Table Mountain

On Friday the 16th of February 2019 at 17h56, the Peninsula WSAR  was activated by the Western Cape EMS after a caller reported that there may be hikers in distress in an area above the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

It was noted that a large section of red fabric could be seen from the urban area being waved from a position that was near the summit of the Skeleton Gorge hiking route in the Table Mountain National Park. Upon further investigation, it was confirmed by SANParks that a  film shoot was in progress at that location, and that there was no distress to be concerned about.

WSAR was then asked to stand down on the call.

Devil’s Peak Table Mountain

On Sunday the 17th of February 2019 at 18h50, the Peninsula WSAR was activated by the Western Cape EMS after it was reported that two female hikers had lost their way while hiking along the contour path on the Eastern Buttress of Devil’s Peak.

The hikers who had set off from the Rhodes Memorial access path were asked to stay put while 4×4 Logistical operators, Medical crew and Rescue Mountaineers were dispatched to the parking area at Rhodes Memorial. The responding teams proceeded up the ridge in the direction of the Contour Path, and then on to search for the hikers. The hikers had assisted the rescuers by shinning a light to indicate their location. They were subsequently found in a very dangerous position which was off route and above the well used Contour Path which is regular amongst hikers. This area is also known to be a hot spot for muggings where incidents of crime had been reported in the past.

Once the rescuers had reached the two hikers who turned out to be a mother and her daughter, they were assessed by the medical members who found them to be fine. From here they were safely guided down to the Contour Path and further on to a point where the path intersected with a jeep track. The awaiting 4×4 vehicles were used to transport the two hikers and the rescuers off the mountain to the Staging Area at Rhodes Memorial.

The hikers were uninjured, and after no further assistance was required, the rescuers were stood down.

WSAR urges the public to please:-

  • make use of recognised hiking routes
  • carry a recent map at all times (the Peter Slingsby ones are more useful)
  • carry warm clothes in your bag
  • take along extra snacks and rations

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