CapeNature urges hikers to prioritise safety as summer season begins
Wilderness Search & Rescue (WSAR) teams carry an injured hiker.
Image: Chris Jacobs / WSAR
After six separate mountain rescues across the province this past weekend, CapeNature has called on South Africans to be ambassadors for safety and help international visitors stay informed as the summer hiking season begins.
Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) spokesperson David Nel said rescue teams were dispatched to incidents on Table Mountain, Stellenbosch and Lion’s Head between Friday and Sunday night. The incidents ranged from lost hikers to trail injuries, and all were preventable with better preparation and awareness.
“Every incident highlights the importance of calling the correct emergency number – 021 937 0300 – as soon as help is needed,” Nel said. “Safety on the mountain is a shared responsibility. Plan ahead, research your route and be ready for changing weather.”
On October 24, a German family became lost after ascending Skeleton Gorge from Kirstenbosch. Their navigation apps failed due to poor signal, leaving them stranded in the dark. WSAR teams and SANParks rangers located them and guided them safely down to Constantia Nek.
The next day, a 51-year-old woman injured her leg while hiking the Kloof Corner trail, prompting a rescue operation. Just hours later, an 18-year-old hiker sustained injuries while descending from the Table Mountain dams.
That same night, rescuers battled rain and darkness to reach a runner who had slipped on a trail above Coetzenburg in Stellenbosch. The man was carried to safety shortly after midnight.
On Sunday, paramedics assisted a 38-year-old British man who suffered seizures on Lion’s Head. Later that evening, three hikers aged 22, on their first climb of the peak called for help after losing confidence during their descent and feeling unsafe in the fading light.
“We’re grateful to our volunteers and partner agencies,” Nel said. “Their teamwork ensures trail users get the help they need.”
With the city’s busy tourism season now in full swing, CapeNature’s Marketing and Promotions Manager, Loren Pavitt, said it was essential that visitors especially foreign tourists, to have access to accurate information before setting out on hikes.
“It’s important to always remember to hike in numbers,” Pavitt said at Tuesday's Tourism Season Readiness briefing.
Pavitt encouraged South Africans to play an active role in helping visitors stay safe.
She added that hikers should use reliable, official sources such as CapeNature, Wegro and the provincial government’s websites to check trail access, weather, and safety regulations.