Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape

12/10/2026

Incredible precision flying on display at ICAR 2026.

​As impressive as it is to watch the alpine demonstrations abroad, it’s a brilliant reminder of just how high the standard is across our South African rescue community. From the technical faces of the Western Cape to the Drakensberg, our local teams and pilots match this level of commitment every single callout. Proudly local, world-class standard. �

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11/10/2026

10/10/2026

Second Waterfall Ravine Rescue, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
Friday 9 October 2026

Image and video by - Tian Cilliers, Adam Griffin, Brent Russel, Dennis Wevell and Duncan Fraser.

10/10/2026

Exceptional Helicopter Skills Secure Jonkershoek Ravine Rescue
Saturday, 10 October 2026

• Stellenbosch University student falls four metres on wet rock
• Precise helicopter flying enables hoist from narrow ravine
• Multi-agency rescue teams assist remaining hikers to safety
• Hikers warned about slippery rocks near waterfalls

A 20-year-old Stellenbosch University student was rescued by helicopter from Second Waterfall Ravine in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve on Friday after slipping on wet rock and falling approximately four metres.

The student was hiking with five companions when the incident occurred. While scrambling towards the upper waterfall, he lost his footing and fell, sustaining injuries that left him unable to continue.

Other members of the group made their way out of the ravine to call for help.

Wilderness Search And Rescue teams, including Stellenbosch Fire & Rescue, were dispatched immediately, including the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) helicopter to reach the injured hiker in the steep, confined terrain.

The patient was secured in a rescue harness and hoisted into the helicopter, as the pilot and crew expertly manoeuvred through the narrow ravine, surrounded by towering rock walls and the cascading waterfall, with very little room to spare.

Meanwhile, ground teams used ropes to assist the two remaining hikers down and out of the ravine to safety.

The injured student was flown to hospital for further medical treatment.

A WSAR spokesperson Murray Williams praised the group for recognising the seriousness of the situation and calling for help.

“The group did exactly the right thing. When someone is injured and unable to continue safely, call 021 937 0300. Don’t wait to see if things improve, and don’t attempt to carry an injured person out of steep or technical terrain. Calling early gives rescue teams more time, more options and the benefit of daylight.”

Williams also commended the helicopter crew for the precision required to complete the hoist in such challenging terrain.

“The flying in that ravine was exceptional. The crew held the helicopter in a confined space between steep rock walls, with the waterfall nearby, while the hoisting was carried out. It takes considerable skill and coordination to operate safely in those conditions.”

He warned hikers to take particular care on wet rock.

“Wet rock can be extremely slippery, even when conditions elsewhere are dry. Near waterfalls, spray keeps the surrounding surfaces damp, and a single misplaced step can have serious consequences.”

We extend our sincere thanks to all the rescue personnel involved in this technically demanding operation. Working in a confined ravine with steep rock walls, slippery surfaces and a waterfall required careful coordination between the helicopter crew and ground teams.
We wish the young hiker all the very best for his recovery and hope he is back on his feet and enjoying the outdoors again soon.

Second Waterfall Ravine is one of Jonkershoek’s striking natural features, but its beauty can conceal significant hazards.

Spray from the waterfall can keep rock surfaces wet even on a sunny day. Moss, algae and wet grass can make footholds unreliable, while some surfaces that appear dry may offer little grip.

Hikers should assess conditions carefully, avoid exposed scrambling when surfaces are wet, and turn back if the terrain becomes unsafe. Check that everyone in the group is comfortable with the route and the conditions, and never feel obliged to continue simply because a destination is close.

If someone is injured or cannot continue safely, stop and call the emergency number on 021 937 0300. Provide your location as accurately as possible, follow the call-taker’s instructions, and avoid moving an injured person unless remaining where they are presents an immediate danger.

In an emergency, call early. The right decision can make all the difference.
🏔️ Be Safe, My Mate.

• Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
• Please support us - https://wsar.org.za/support-us/
• Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue.

Photos by Tian Cilliers and Adam Griffin

10/10/2026

Pushed to the Limit: Ground Anchor Testing

Ever wonder what goes into developing the techniques and equipment we use on rescue?

At ICAR 2026, rescuers from around the world load tested different ground anchor systems until they let go, so we understand exactly how they behave and where their limits are.

When a life depends on an anchor in the mountains, there's no room for guesswork.

09/10/2026

Stronger Through Collaboration 🏔️🌍
Friday, 9 October 2026

What can mountain rescue teams in the Western Cape learn from their counterparts around the world?

On Wednesday, we joined mountain rescue teams from across the globe for a practical training day at Seegrube, high above Innsbruck in Austria, as part of the ICAR 2026 conference.

From exchanging techniques and testing equipment to sharing experiences from very different mountain environments, days like these offer valuable opportunities to learn from one another and explore new ways of working.

For WSAR, participating in this international community is an opportunity to exchange knowledge, gain fresh perspectives and bring valuable experience home to help strengthen mountain rescue in the Western Cape.

The real value lies in putting these experiences into practice, sharing what we learn with our teams, exploring new approaches and continually looking for ways to improve how we operate and serve our outdoor community.

Thank you to everyone whose support helped make this opportunity possible. Investing in learning and collaboration helps us bring the benefits of these experiences back to the people and mountains we serve.

03/10/2026

An Honour to Tell Our Story

This journey started with a question:

Should we be doing more to help the outdoor community avoid meeting us professionally?

Every rescue gives us an opportunity to learn - about decisions, preparation, conditions and sometimes what went wrong. I believe we have a moral responsibility to share that learning, so that others can make safer decisions and, hopefully, avoid needing help in the first place.

That idea has helped shape our team’s culture of prevention, education and purposeful storytelling, and I’m excited to continue these conversations on the world stage.

From 6–11 October, I’ll be in Innsbruck presenting “Beyond the Rescue: The Enduring Responsibility of Storytelling in Modern Mountain Rescue” at the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR).

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us and helped make this opportunity possible. It’s a privilege to share what we’ve learned in Cape Town, and to listen, learn and bring new ideas home.

The journey begins.

30/09/2026

Tourism Month: Recognising the Teams Keeping Visitors Safe
Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Last week, the U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town honoured members from each of our Wilderness Search and Rescue teams in recognition of our volunteers’ work keeping visitors safe in the mountains, including the many American nationals who explore our beautiful outdoor spaces every year.

We’re proud of the work our volunteers do, but keeping people safe in the mountains is always a team effort. It depends on strong partnerships between our rescue teams, emergency services, local authorities and organisations like the Consulate, who help us reach visitors with important safety information before they head into the mountains.

Thank you to the Consulate for the recognition and for the warmth shown to our team on the day. We look forward to continuing this collaboration - because keeping people safe in the mountains takes all of us.

Stop. Check in. Call for help early - 021 937 0300.
Safe, My Mate.
Photo by Benjamin Chapman

• Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
• Please support us - https://wsar.org.za/support-us/
• Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue.

30/09/2026

Following Saturday evening’s successful rescue of a 47-year-old hiker from Platteklip Gorge, we’ve had quite a few questions about the Hypershell exoskeleton used during the operation.

How does it work? How big is it? And is it difficult to use?

The answer is surprisingly simple. It’s lightweight, compact and remarkably intuitive, and in this Reel, we take a closer look at the technology, demonstrate how it works, and explain how we’re testing its potential to assist our rescue teams and the patients they help.

This was the first reported use of the technology in a South African rescue, and we’re excited to explore what it could mean for the future of wilderness rescue.

More about the rescue here - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ULiCz8Wm/

• Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
• Please support us - https://wsar.org.za/support-us/
• Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue.

28/09/2026

WSAR RESCUE REEL
Monday September 28, 2026