Hiking hell: Why it took 20 hours to rescue three Table Mountain visitors

Three seprate rescue teams – with over 20 members of staff and volunteers – were deployed to save three hikers from a perilous position up Table Mountain. The group began their journey up the iconic landmark this weekend – but weren’t able to get down for almost 20 hours.

The hike from hell up Table Mountain

A spokesperon for the Wilderness Search and Rescue confirmed that the hikers set off on their journey on Saturday morning, but became lost and disorientated due to foggy and cloudy conditions. This caused immense difficulty for the rescue efforts, which couldn’t rely on any aerial support.

“As a result of the extreme conditions and the fact that the cableway and rescue helicopter could not be used, it was apparent that the rescue effort was going to be quite an extended one. This lasted through the night and at 6.45 on Sunday the three hikers and more than 20 rescuers were safely off the mountain.”

Wilderness Search and Rescue

Hikers blown off course up Table Mountain

The planned sunrise hike had become a nightmare by the time the glowing orb in the sky had lifted. Little did the trekkers realise they’d get to see two sunrises, after leaving the house at 4:30 on Saturday. The hikers raised the alarm a few hours later, and sent pictures from their cell phones to rescue teams. Their location was pinpointed, but efforts to get them to safety were hampered by the weather.

An ab-sailing team were the first to make vocal contact with the lost group, but they had to call for back-up when their ropes and other equipment couldn’t extend to the isolated region. Finally, almost a day later, the reinforcements arrived and installed the hauling devices needed to lift the hikers to safety.

Fire hazard report on Monday

After a chaotic weekend up Table Mountain, there was more trouble at the base of the geographical wonder on Monday morning. A series of small fires were reported along Philip Kgosana Drive. The blazes have since been contained.

.@TableMountainNP #NCC fire crews are responding to multiple small fires at the moment along Philip Kgosana Drive (below the road in Roodebloem) and a second just below the #HoutBay pipe track. @cptfrs vehicles are also on scene at both.

— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) February 24, 2020