Sentinel Peak rescue: Five stranded hikers brought to safety after treacherous snowstorm
They had very little warm weather gear and their food supplies were depleted.
Five hikers were trapped on Sentinel Peak in the Drakensberg for two nights, stranded by heavy snowfall and dwindling supplies, raising concerns for their survival. The extreme conditions brought on by the recent cold and windy weather have left much of Gauteng, and other regions of the country, in a state of peril. Forecasters predict rain to hit the Eastern Cape after the heavy snowfall, with snow visible in high-altitude areas of the Eastern Cape, Lesotho, and southern KwaZulu-Natal.
Search and Rescue South Africa (SARSA) Gauteng Chairperson Kyle Nesbitt confirmed the rescue operation, stating that the stranded group had been cut off since Monday night. Nesbitt explained that the group had limited warm weather gear, and their food supplies had been exhausted. A rescue operation was executed using teams from Gauteng, the Free State, and Netcare 24 paramedics.
A forward base was established at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge, from where three rescue vehicles, equipped with snow chains, and a specialized all-terrain vehicle were deployed up the treacherous pass. Nesbitt warned that the conditions were extreme, with rescuers facing snow, rain, and gale-force winds, but their training allowed them to manage and mitigate these risks.
The rescue operation took two hours to cover just seven kilometers of the mountain pass. Upon reaching the stranded party, rescuers provided food and warmth before guiding them down. The operation concluded after midnight, with additional vehicle recoveries completed around 1 am. Despite the ordeal, the hikers were found in good spirits, expressing extreme relief upon seeing the rescue team.
Nesbitt urged hikers to prepare thoroughly before venturing into the mountains, emphasizing the need for at least 48 hours of food, proper cold-weather gear, and an emergency plan. He cautioned against using phone batteries as torches once the connection to the outside world is lost, as it leaves individuals vulnerable.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
