Monday evening’s weather on Table Mountain was cold, wet and unforgiving, but the heroes of Wilderness Search and Rescue braved it anyway. They relied on their training, exceptional judgment, technical ability, and calm competence to save three climbers.
Cape Town, South Africa (25 June 2026) – This Monday evening brought two of what may very well be some of the year’s most demanding technical call-outs for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR). Navigating extreme conditions, teams worked tirelessly to bring three stranded mountain climbers down to safety.
“The mountain was cold, wet and unforgiving on Monday night, with visibility at times so poor that rescuers could barely make out the trail in front of them,” said David Nel, Wilderness Search and Rescue spokesperson.
Stranded Climbers Lowered from Postern Buttress
The first incident unfolded high above Camps Bay, where two rock climbers became stranded on Postern Buttress after deteriorating weather forced them to retreat from the route Champs Élysées, only for their rope to become stuck while abseiling.
Although the pair were well prepared for their climb, they were unable to continue safely once their rope became jammed. Recognising that they needed assistance, they did the right thing and called the WSAR emergency number, allowing rescue teams to respond before the situation deteriorated further.
Technical rescue teams, including Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS medics, were immediately deployed to the area and driven up the mountain from Constantia Nek. On arrival, rescuers were faced with wet, windy conditions and extremely poor visibility as they worked to identify the safest point from which to lower a rescuer to the stranded pair.
Conditions were so bad that a guideline was used in places to ensure the safety of the rescuers while moving to the top of the cliff.
Once the best position had been established, a technical rescuer was lowered down to the climbers.
“The scale of the rescue was reflected in the size of the cliff itself,” Nel said.
“Rising approximately 180 metres above the ground, the face of Postern Buttress required rescuers to deploy twin 200 metre ropes to reach the stranded climbers, and lower them safely to the ground. In total, more than 700 metres of rope were deployed during the operation, underscoring both the height of the cliff and the technical complexity of the rescue in darkness, wind and rain.”
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From there, the patients were guided back on the Kasteelspoort trail to rejoin the rest of the rescue party before everyone was transported safely down the mountain to Constantia Nek, concluding the incident at 22:20.
Rescuers Climb to Stuck Hiker Above the Contour Path
While teams were still busy on Postern Buttress, a second callout was received after staff from the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway reported hearing cries for help from the vicinity of Tafelberg Road.
While SANParks Table Mountain National Park rangers were investigating, a trail runner reported having encountered a stranded hiker on a cliff above the Contour Path.
It is understood that the hiker had left the path in search of water before becoming stranded on steep terrain.
Additional technical teams were immediately deployed to the second scene. Rescuers moved quickly up to the hiker, secured him in a harness and helmet and safely lowered him down to the Contour Path.
The incident was concluded with both the patient and rescue teams safely off the mountain by 21:00.
“Rescues like these are successful because of experience, trust and an extraordinary willingness to keep going when the mountain is at its most hostile,” Nel said.
“Every rescuer, ranger and support team member brought something important to the operation, and together they turned two very difficult situations into safe outcomes. We are incredibly thankful to every person who gave their time, expertise and energy to help bring three people safely off the mountain on a cold, wet and difficult night.”
The public is encouraged to save and share the correct WSAR Emergency Contact Number: 021 937 0300.
Sources: Wilderness Search and Rescue
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