On Tuesday, 21 October, a hiker on a Tsitsikamma Slackpack trail went missing after leaving his group for a bathroom break. Late on Tuesday evening, MTO Trails Garden Route alerted the MCSA MSAR Eastern Cape team and requested assistance in looking for the missing hiker, while a team of MTO rangers started a hasty search.
MSAR immediately alerted SAPS K9 SAR and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan EMS. A multidisciplinary search started early the next morning. Over the days that followed, an extensive search involving, among others, SAPS Gqeberha Airwing helicopter, SAPS K9 SAR, SAPS Diving Unit, AMS Skymed helicopter, MTO rangers, SANParks rangers, drone operators, MCSA MSAR and several members of the public who volunteered to assist. Up to 30 searchers a day searched the area between the Heuningbos and Sleepkloof huts. This included dense fynbos and indigenous forest covering many on-trail and off-trail kilometres. Despite all these efforts, no clues were found as to the whereabouts of the missing hiker.
The perseverance and hard work of the search team paid off, and a week after the hiker's disappearance, a breakthrough discovery was made: a hat was found 200m off-trail (far away from where the hiker was last seen). Subsequent search efforts were focused on this specific area, and late the following day, the missing hiker was found on the other side of the Storms River gorge. Unfortunately, he had passed away.
On Thursday, the deceased was recovered with the help of the BK117 helicopter from 15 Squadron Charlie Flight SAAF and SAPS.
We sincerely offer our condolences to the affected family and friends.
Not just related to this search, we remind hikers to be vigilant in the mountains: Remain in a group. Always carry your phone with a spare battery bank and some additional means of navigating (preferably a map). Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings, and identify features that can help you stay oriented and on the path. If you become lost, stay at your location until help comes. Ensure someone you trust in the group has been provided with your NOK and medical aid details. We recommend always taking the 10 essentials with you (even when not on long hikes).
Photos: Mountain Club of SA Search and Rescue
#MCSASAR #MountainRescue #SearchAndRescue
Hikers and Hiking Safety
