Platteklip Gorge witnessed a remarkable rescue operation as two hikers were safely brought down from its challenging terrain.
Two hikers survive horror Platteklip Gorge summit
A routine hike at Platteklip Gorge turned into a perilous adventure for two hikers on Sunday, 25 February 2024, when they found themselves unable to complete their journey due to an injury.
As night fell, they were stranded, prompting an urgent SOS call for assistance. The hikers, one of whom was a 28-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), faced harrowing conditions overnight as they waited for rescue.
The situation was exacerbated by the challenging weather, which rendered their position even more precarious.
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WSAR pulls off daring 24-hour rescue mission
Responding to the distress signal, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) launched an emergency operation to retrieve the stranded hikers.
Despite adverse weather conditions that hampered the use of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and prevented the Air Mercy Service (AMS) helicopter from flying, the team remained undeterred.
A call to the public was made, requesting that hikers give the rescue team priority on the route to facilitate the operation.
In a display of extraordinary community spirit and professionalism, nearly 50 individuals, including WSAR volunteers, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS medics, Metro Police officers, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers, SANParks – Table Mountain National Park rangers, and second-year ECP students from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), rallied together.
This formidable team undertook the arduous task of manually carrying the hikers down the mountain, concluding the rescue mission just shy of 24 hours after the initial call for help.
How long does it take to climb Platteklip Gorge?
Platteklip Gorge offers one of the most direct routes to the summit of Table Mountain, yet its steep ascent can be challenging.
Under normal conditions, the hike can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete, depending on an individual’s pace and fitness level.
However, this incident highlights that unforeseen circumstances, such as weather and injuries, can significantly extend this duration and transform a day’s hike into a survival situation.
