Busy weekend for WSAR as they conduct multiple rescues

The Wilderness Search and Rescue had their hands full over the past weekend, conducting multiple rescues that involved rescuing abseilers after dark and retrieving a fallen body.

WSAR rescue abseiling hikers trapped on mountain after dark

A technical team from Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) assisted a party of five who attempted abseiling down Window Gorge, late on Friday.

The group started their hike from Cecilia Forest earlier on Friday morning and had planned to descend Window Gorge, a steep route high above Newlands Forest.

According to the WSAR, the descent route is technically challenging and requires hikers to complete a series of eight abseils before hiking back down to the contour path.

‘Unfortunately, the hikers had underestimated the wet and slippery conditions in the gorge and called WSAR when it became clear that they were not going to complete the descent before dark,’ said the organisation.

‘They had already completed two abseils and were not able to get back to the start of the route.’

The rescue team were driven up the back of Table Mountain, arriving on the scene well after dark. Once on scene, the team quickly located and abseiled down to the hikers.

The rescuers then constructed a rope system to raise the hikers back up to the start of the trail.

The team and hikers were safely driven back to Cecilia Forest and the incident was concluded at 3:30am on Saturday morning.

‘It’s clear that the seasons are changing,’ said WSAR spokesperson, David Nel. ‘It’s a beautiful time to be out in the hills, but a little extra care is required.’

‘If you haven’t already, pack in those warm layers, your rain jacket and make sure to include a torch.’

‘The sun is setting over an hour earlier than it did in December and January, and it’s fairly common to get caught out after dark at this time of year.’

WSAR assists in retrieving the body of a fallen hiker above Boyes Drive

Dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) were activated last Thursday afternoon to assist SAPS and WPDS in the recovery of the body of a hiker who had fallen above Boyes Drive.

The patient was located using a drone from the Western Cape Government-Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Drone Unit.

When the location of the patient was determined, team members hiked up to the scene.

The deceased was placed on a stretcher, and the Terra Tamer, a high-tech all-terrain wheel, was attached to the stretcher, allowing teams to carry the body down the mountain quickly.

Once off the mountain, the victim’s body was transferred to forensic pathology.

According to a WSAR spokesperson, David Nel, the Terra Tamer is a game changer for both rescues and body recovery.

‘Stretcher carries require fewer team members, and we’re able to move significantly faster, even in challenging technical terrain,’ he said.

He added, ‘The purchase of this piece of equipment would not have been possible without the generous donations made by members of the public.’