How quick thinking led to the rescue of two stranded hikers on Table Mountain

Technical rescue teams from WSAR were dispatched to Table Mountain on Sunday afternoon after two hikers became stranded in steep, exposed terrain high above Camps Bay. Image:Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) Facebook/ Grant Duncan-Smith Two hikers were safely rescued from Table Mountain on Sunday afternoon after becoming stranded in steep, exposed terrain above Camps Bay. According to a statement released by Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR), the hikers, aged 30 and 39, had begun their hike via Platteklip Gorge earlier in the day and planned to descend using the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.

However, the cableway was suspended due to strong winds, so they opted to use the India Venster trail. On the way down, the pair lost the marked trail and continued descending toward Camps Bay. The terrain became increasingly steep, leaving them cliffed out and unable to move safely forward or retreat.

Recognising the danger, the hikers stopped and contacted the emergency number, 021 937 0300. Technical rescue teams, including Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedics, were dispatched to the scene. WSAR spokesperson David Nel praised the hikers’ decision-making, saying their actions demonstrated the organisation’s SAFE campaign in practice: Stop, Assess, Formulate a plan and Execute.

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“By stopping early and not attempting to continue, they avoided a potentially critical fall and allowed rescue teams to respond before the situation escalated. Calling the emergency number as soon as they felt unsafe was the right decision and it played a key role in ensuring a safe and positive outcome.” Using ropes, rescuers accessed the ledge, secured the hikers in harnesses and raised them to safer ground. They were later guided down to the lower cable station.

The operation ended at 19:44, with everyone safely off the mountain. Nel added:”This rescue is a clear example of why careful decision-making and situational awareness are so important in the mountains. Recognising when to stop can make all the difference in preventing accidents and ensuring everyone gets home safely.” “This rescue is a clear example of why careful decision-making and situational awareness are so important in the mountains. Recognising when to stop can make all the difference in preventing accidents and ensuring everyone gets home safely.” WSAR has urged hikers to stick to marked trails and call for help immediately if they feel unsafe.

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