Table Mountain

At 12h41 on Thursday the 5th of December 2019 the Peninsula Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was activated after a caller reported that a party of two were disorientated and could not find their way while hiking in good visibility on the front face of Table Mountain.

A rescue response vehicle from the Metro Rescue Base in Pinelands was dispatched to Tafelberg road in order to evaluate the situation. Once these members were able to establish a visual on this party, it was felt that the situation required a helicopter evacuation. The position in which the two hikers found themselves in was too technical to reach,  and any attempt to climb up to their position would be a lengthy one requiring lots of back-up and support.

On arrival, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) quickly found the stricken patients who were uninjured and sitting on a ledge unable to move up or down. After a Rescue Climber and a Metro Medical Rescue Technician were winched down to the hikers, they were hoisted into the helicopter. They were then safely delivered to a temporary landing zone (LZ) on Tafelberg road.

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

WSAR wishes the two visitors a pleasant stay in the Western Cape.

  • The Air Mercy Service (AMS) is contracted to the Western Cape Department of Health to provide Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)

WSAR urges the public and tourists to please:-

  • make use of registered mountain guides
  • not attempt any route that you are unfamiliar with
  • always carry a Peter Slingsby map of the area in which you intend to hike
  • stay put and call the emergency number if you or your party feels unsafe or unable to proceed or retreat along a route
  • have a brightly coloured item of clothing with you, this is useful to attract attention
  • carry one or two packets of crisps (chips) in your pack. These are a good salt replenishment, and more importantly, the silver inside of the packet is quite visible to air and ground crew during daylight hours.

WSAR is a volunteer based organisation.

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

In association with the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services.

 

WSAR is a member of the International Commission of Alpine Rescue.

 

 

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