Mountain rescue agencies are imploring hikers to do their research on whichever trail they choose. This is after two German hikers got lost, and then stranded, on Table Mountain.

According to Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), the 23- and 24-year-old hikers began their journey on Monday afternoon, hoping to reach the Upper Cable Station. However, due to a navigation error about halfway into their hike, they missed a turn and ended up on a dangerous, narrow path that eventually led them to Cairn Buttress above Camps Bay.

Spokesperson, David Nel, said the hikers continued past Kloof Corner Ridge and traversed a ledge, thinking they were still on the right track. As darkness fell and the terrain became more treacherous, they realised they were lost.

“Their call for help was transferred to the correct emergency number – 021 937 0300, shortly before 21h00,” said Nel.

WSAR teams swiftly launched a rescue operation.

“Rescuers were ferried to the Upper Cable Station in the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway cable car and swiftly made their way down to find the stranded visitors,” Nel said.

The team reached the hikers around 02h00 on Tuesday morning. They provided the hikers with torches, water, and energy snacks before guiding them down to the Lower Cable Station.

Nel said the rescue operation concluded just nearly two hours later, when all individuals were safely off the mountain. He said it was a seven-hour operation overall to find and rescue the hikers. He further reminded hikers to be prepared and plan well, especially with seasons changing.

“Start any outdoor activities earlier remembering that the sun sets earlier as the seasons start to change. Pack a torch and an extra warm layer of clothing before venturing outdoors.”

The Mountain Club of South Africa’s (MCSA) Mountain Rescue team reiterated calls for advanced planning and preparation.

“While the Table Mountain trail network might appear to be a “straight-forward”, anyone who has been monitoring our rescues will realise that the reality is that during the past more or less hundred and fifty years of recreational hiking, a plethora of tracks, trails and ill-defined ways to go have sprung up- many of them navigating dangerous and high-consequence terrain,” read a MCSA statement.

Nel also encourage hikers to save their emergency contact number, 021 937 0300, and to “call sooner” rather than later.

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