[imagesource:wikipedia]

I’ve heard mixed reviews about climbing the India Venster trail on Table Mountain.

That’s because the okes who are seasoned hikers and scramblers are like, “Ja, totally chilled”, while the folks who hardly go outside are eager to tell you how ferociously difficult it is.

Some Table Mountain rangers must have seen me and put me in the latter category (even though I scramble, sir) because they put me off my plan to hike India Venster the day I decided to brave it. Perhaps this 33-year-old Australian hiker wasn’t dished this advice or didn’t listen, because a few hours in she found herself being rescued by Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR).

The woman along with three friends had started their hike up the India Venster trail, and then, according to WSAR, they had turned onto Fountain Ledge below the upper cable station when she suddenly collapsed.

IOL reported that she had suffered heat-related injuries, with WSAR teams of professionals and volunteers ascending the iconic mountain as soon as the group reported that one of their members had collapsed.

For the sake of speed, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ferried the team and medics upwards while a Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was also dispatched to the scene.

The hiker was promptly flown to a nearby landing zone, where she was transferred to a waiting ambulance before being driven to hospital. There is no news about her condition at this stage, but hopefully, she’s recovered and will join the legion of people who found the hike a bit of a nightmare.

The warmer weather and school holidays have brought hikers and outdoors enthusiasts out of the woodwork, and WSAR spokesperson David Nel is urging all mountain users to carry extra water and dress appropriately as the warmer weather increases.

Hikers are urged to save and share the WSAR emergency contact number 021 937 0300 for any emergency.

[source:iol]