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Dedicated teams of volunteers and professionals from Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape responded to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Saturday evening after two hikers reported that they were stranded on a small ledge in Window Gorge.
The two hikers, aged 35 and 37, set out from Kirstenbosch earlier on Saturday morning, hiking up Skeleton Gorge intending to return via Window Gorge.
They had completed six of the seven abseils when their ropes became stuck.
After battling in the waterfall to recover the ropes, and with no way to safely proceed, the pair immediately called the emergency contact number – 021 937 0300.
A small technical team were driven up the back table to a point near the Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir.
They swiftly made their way to the top of Window Gorge and started the multiple abseils down to the stranded duo.
On reaching the hikers, rescuers freed their stuck ropes, the drenched pair were given dry clothes, and together the group continued down the last abseil.
A drone from the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS Drone Unit was used to monitor the rescue team’s progress.
In places the team used the drones powerful light to help navigate challenging terrain.
Once safely out of the gorge, the group hiked down the trail to meet the rest of the team.
The incident was concluded shortly before 00h30 on Sunday morning.
Photo by Matthew Trollip, Waldo Minnaar and Mountain Club of SA - Search And Rescue