Winelands WSAR recent callouts

Stettynskloof near Worcster

On Sunday the 12th of May 2019 at 15h55 the Winelands Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was activated after a caller reported that a hiker was overdue.

Three hikers who had been walking in the Holslootrivier area in the water catchment zone of the Brandvlei dam had split up, and when two of them arrived at the finish point, the third hiker was nowhere to be found. After waiting for a while, they decided to report the situation to the authorities.

Shortly after the WSAR response teams were mobilised, the third hiker turned up, unharmed at the end of the trail. All resources were then stood down.

Helderberg Nature Reserve

On Sunday the 12th of May 2019 at 17h01 the Winelands WSAR was asked to investigate a possible lost hiker at the West Peak. The upper section of the Helderberg Nature Reserve near Somerset West is managed by Cape Nature.

The caller reported that her son had become separated from their hiking party and had contacted her complaining of cramps and fatigue. He confirmed that he did have a whistle, an emergency blanket, a jacket and a torch in his possession. A hasty team consisting of two rescuers who are experienced trail runners was dispatched while other resources consisting of Rescue Climbers, Rescue Mountaineers, logistical crew and 4×4 members were activated. The pending sunset was a concern since the temperature and visibility was busy decreasing. The staging area for this response was set up at a nearby farm on the lower slope of the Helderberg West Peak.

The gentleman was located when the hasty team managed to spot his flashlight. It was then confirmed that the hiker had lost the path and had wondered down to a point where technical equipment including rope and harnesses were required in order to execute a safe retrieval of the hiker.

It then became apparent that the stricken hiker had become stuck on a ledge, and this required a rescuer to abseil down to his position. After an initial assessment, the hiker was found to be uninjured, however, he was a bit cold and hungry. Once this was attended to, the technical gear was used to haul the hiker up the edge of the mountain. From here they made for the dedicated path which eventually brought the party to safety at the jeep track on the farm.

By 23h30 the debrief had been concluded and the gentleman left via private transport.

Nuuweberg near Grabouw

On Saturday the 18th of May 2019 at 17h22 the Winelands WSAR was activated after a caller had reported that two hikers were lost while routing for the Aloe Ridge huts at Boesmanskloof which overlooks the Theewaterskloof dam.

The rescue resources were mobilised to the Nuuweberg Forest Station near Grabouw to prepare for a search against the approaching sunset. Before the first team had reached the gate of the reserve which is managed by Cape Nature, it was positively reported that the two lost hikers had met up with staff of Cape Canopy Tours who operate in the area above the forest station.

WSAR would like to commend the crew from Cape Canopy Tours for their alertness as well as for safely transporting the hikers down the mountain via the jeep track to their parked vehicle.

Helderberg Nature Reserve

On Saturday the 25th of May at 19h52 the Winelands WSAR was alerted to a situation where a hiker had not checked out of the reserve after planned walk. His vehicle was located in the parking area of the reserve but he was nowhere in sight, and uncontactable via his cellphone.

A night search was initiated for the 61 year old solo hiker who was overdue. Rescue Mountaineers, K9 unit, 4×4, communication and logistical teams were deployed to comb multiple areas in the reserve. After all efforts had yielded no trace of the hiker, the fatigued teams were asked to withdraw from the field at 03h30 the following morning for safety reasons.

At first light on Sunday the 26th of May fresh teams were deployed into the field to continue with the search. A short while later the Air Mercy Service (AMS) who is contracted to the Western Cape Department of Health, had dispatched their Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) to assist with the operation.

At 08h53 news was received that the lost hiker had been found walking on a jeep track above the Lourensford farm by a mountain biker. A 4×4 vehicle was promptly dispatched to meet the hiker who was transported to the rescue operation Staging Area for an assessment. It was learnt that the gentleman had found a place to shelter for the night after loosing his way.

After no further assistance was required, the person left via private transport.

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