An international visitor experienced a terrible Friday night when he had to be rescued in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve after getting lost on his solo hike.
The 18-year-old Russian tourist was rescued last Friday (4 July), after spending a cold and wet night alone in the nature reserve following an emergency while hiking the challenging Panorama Circuit Trail.
A statement from Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) Western Cape, a network of government agencies and civilian volunteer organisations which partner in search and rescue, said the teenager began his hike at 10:00 on Thursday (3 July).
He apparently researched Cape Town hiking routes online, was equipped for the trail under normal conditions, but did not anticipate the intensity of the rainfall nor the significant change to the landscape brought by the weather.
By late afternoon on Thursday the worsening weather had turned paths into shallow streams leaving some sections of the trail impassable. “His route was ultimately blocked by a torrent of water surging down the mountain,” the WSAR statement explained.
“Unable to proceed, he attempted to retrace his steps. At 16:00 he managed to send a message to a friend saying he was tired and in trouble. His phone battery died before he could share more details.”
With the drop in temperature overnight and no shelter, the resourceful hiker sought refuge among rocks while using the natural cover to protect himself.
WSAR Western Cape, along with CapeNature members, mobilsed more than 20 volunteers and professionals on Friday morning after the alarm was raised. The team used the teenage hiker’s GPS data from his last known phone location and dispatched members into the reserve. At 14:44 on Friday afternoon the hiker was found near the entrance of the local reserve.
According to WSAR Western Cape the hiker managed to retrace his steps at first light and slowly made his way back to safety. “He was assessed on site by a Western Cape government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic, treated for hypothermia, and then transported to hospital for further medical care,” WSAR added.
“The operation concluded at 16:28 on Friday.”
David Nel, a spokesperson for WSAR, said this incident highlighted how quickly things can go wrong in the mountains. “We strongly encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to take weather warnings seriously and prioritise safety at all times. Always review the weather forecast before heading out. If conditions look risky, delay your hike. Never hike alone; being with others can be lifesaving in emergencies.”
He advised hikers to be prepared by wearing appropriate clothing, carrying enough food and water and having essential emergency gear.
Knowing one’s limits is also important, Nel said, so choosing trails that match one’s fitness and experience levels is important. “We are deeply grateful to our incredible rescue teams for their tireless dedication and swift response, and we extend our best wishes to the hiker for a full and speedy recovery.”
• Hikers and outdoor lovers going on an adventure are advised to save and share the emergency number, 021 937 0300.
• To support the work of WSAR Western Cape visit their BackaBuddy account.
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