An Epic Night of Rescue: The Unstoppable Wilderness Search and Rescue Team

A team of unstoppable heroes from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) recently saved a 64-year-old hiker who injured his ankle while hiking up the Platteklip Gorge trail on Table Mountain. The team, made up of volunteers, professionals, and government agencies, quickly came to the hiker’s aid, trekking across the mountain in difficult terrain to rescue him. The team’s unending dedication, preparedness, and spirit were evident throughout the five-hour operation, which ended safely with the hiker being transported to a hospital. To support the WSAR’s life-saving efforts, one can make a donation on their Back-A-Buddy platform.

In December 2023, a dramatic rescue operation took place on Table Mountain. A 64-year-old hiker from Germany injured his ankle while hiking up the Platteklip Gorge trail. A family from Limpopo noticed the hiker’s struggle and called the emergency contact number 021 937 0300. The call marked the beginning of an epic rescue operation by Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR).

The WSAR Team

WSAR is a network of dedicated volunteers, professionals, and government agencies who partner in search and rescue missions. Among the responding units were teams from the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement. David Nel, the spokesperson for WSAR, lauded the tireless work of the rescuers, highlighting their unending dedication and the life-changing service they provide in some of the most demanding terrains – all with smiles on their faces.

The Rescue Operation

The rescue operation was a testament to the team’s preparedness and expertise. Teams of rescuers and paramedics were quickly transported up the mountain via the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway cable car. On reaching the top, they immediately commenced the hike across the mountain to the injured hiker.

Moving the Injured Hiker

The hiker was promptly assessed and treated before being placed into a rescue stretcher. The rescuers made use of the Cascade Rescue Company’s terrain taming stretcher wheel to start the challenging task of moving the injured hiker down the mountain.

The Team Spirit

During the rescue operation, an urgent call was broadcast to all WSAR teams, seeking additional support. More than twenty rescuers spent grueling five hours carrying the injured hiker down the steep trail, all while battling the dark, the rain, and the slippery conditions. Despite the inherent challenges, the team’s spirit remained unbroken. A rope safety line was utilized to help them navigate the broken and technical sections of the trail, ensuring the hiker’s safe descent.

By the time the operation concluded at half past midnight, the hiker was safely handed over to a waiting ambulance and whisked away to a hospital. This incident is a testament to the unwavering dedication and selflessness of the WSAR teams, who go above and beyond to ensure the safety of outdoor lovers. It serves as a reminder of the criticality of safety awareness and the importance of memorizing emergency contact numbers.

How to Help

To show support for the tireless heroes at WSAR, one can visit their Back-A-Buddy platform and make a donation. Each contribution can help save lives by funding life-saving equipment. After all, it is the collective effort of the community that ensures we are all wilderness safe.

Who are the members of the WSAR team?

The WSAR team is made up of volunteers, professionals, and government agencies who partner in search and rescue missions, including teams from the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement.

How did the WSAR team rescue the injured hiker?

The WSAR team was quickly transported up the mountain via the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway cable car. On reaching the top, they immediately commenced the hike across the mountain to the injured hiker. The hiker was promptly assessed and treated before being placed into a rescue stretcher. The rescuers made use of the Cascade Rescue Company’s terrain-taming stretcher wheel to start the challenging task of moving the injured hiker down the mountain.

What challenges did the WSAR team face during the rescue operation?

The team faced many challenges during the operation, including slippery and steep terrain, darkness, rain, and the need to navigate broken and technical sections of the trail. Despite these challenges, the team’s spirit remained unbroken.

How long did the rescue operation take?

The rescue operation took five grueling hours, during which more than twenty rescuers carried the injured hiker down the steep trail.

How can I support the WSAR team?

To show support for the tireless heroes at WSAR, one can visit their Back-A-Buddy platform and make a donation. Each contribution can help save lives by funding life-saving equipment.