Tourists stuck on mountain
2010-03-04
Lise Beyers
TOURISTS once again got into trouble in the Du toit’s Kloof mountain area of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains last weekend, when they allegedly did not stick to the beaten track. Three hikers from Ireland braved the blazing Boland heat on Saturday and headed for Eland’s Kloof. This is a comfortable day’s hike and camping is not allowed in the mountain. The hiking group however proceeded past the turning point and discovered late on Saturday afternoon that they would not be able to make it back before nightfall. They proceeded to huddle up for the night. In the mean time, the ranger of Cape Nature on duty became concerned about their well-being when they did not return to their vehicle by nightfall. Nothing could be done in the dark, but at first light members of the police, Cape Nature and Wilderness Search & Rescue Services set out in search of them. An emergency helicopter was summoned, and eventually the party of three was sighted, while descending from Elandskloof. Communication was established with them and they indicated that they would be able to make the descent without the aid of the rescue services. Once back on level ground, the three were suffering only from slight dehydration and sun-burn. A member of the emergency services said that this situation could have been averted if the hikers had stuck to the rules of the mountain. “Such behaviour leads to rescue costs of thousands of rands.” * The Paarl division of the Wilderness Search & Rescue unit which is situated at the Metro Services in Sanddrift Street, appeals to the public to donate any camping equipment which they no longer use. Vincent Booysen can be contacted about this at 083-352-3643.
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