The Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) organisation has urged hikers to take mountain safety seriously after two young climbers became stranded on a vertical cliff on Devil’s Peak.
The pair in their early twenties were rescued on Friday night, after spending nearly four hours trapped on narrow ledge above a contour path.
They were at the First Waterfall Ravine, when they decided to take a different route by attempting to “traverse out of the ravine onto the neighbouring buttress, before trying to down-climb a sheer cliff face”.
WSAR noted that they quickly landed in danger, highlighting the dangers of shortcuts, route-finding mistakes and attempting to descend unfamiliar terrain.
“The first hiker managed to reach a ledge approximately one metre wide, where she wisely stopped. Her companion, however, slipped while attempting to find a route down, coming to rest on an extremely narrow ledge estimated to be just 10cm wide, smaller than the length of a foot,” read the WSAR statement.
With no safe way up or down, they contacted the emergency number (021 937 0300) for urgent assistance. The rescue was concluded at 22:37, with both hikers safe.
However, the organisation noted that the route, particularly First Waterfall Ravine, required significant experience.
It further advised future hikers to research routes carefully, turn back early if uncertain, avoid exposed descents, and always retreat the way they came when conditions become unsafe. Hikers are urged to save and share the correct emergency contact number (021 937 0300).
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