Cape Town - An American tourist was airlifted from Table Mountain after getting lost and spending the night on an overhang.
The hiker, who was on holiday from New York, had set off up the mountain with a group of friends on Wednesday evening.
But at some point, she decided to go ahead on her own, venturing further up one of the popular mountain’s several climbs.
Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Keri Davids said that by 6pm, as night began to fall, the visitor became lost on one of the sections of the mountain near Kasteelspoort.
“She knew it was too late for her to walk back because it was dark and she decided to spend the night on the mountain,” said Davids.
SANParks senior section ranger Hilton Blumeris said that the hiker took cover on a ledge.
“She was lost and disorientated and not prepared for the night. She didn’t even have any torches,” he said.
Tour guide Leonard McMillan, who was leading a group up the mountain the following day, heard her screams.
“I heard someone shouting, and at first I didn’t know where it was coming from.
“I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but she sounded like she was in distress. I thought she was hurt.”
McMillan, who has been leading groups up the mountain for almost seven years, quickly realised that the lost hiker was on a ledge more than 100m above him and phoned Wilderness Search and Rescue for help.
“I couldn’t really scramble up there myself, it looked really dangerous... I think she must’ve mistaken part of the mountain as a path and taken a wrong turn... It was out of the way.”
Davids said that the tourist was airlifted from the ledge and taken to safety.
“She wasn’t injured; there were no medical concerns.”
The hiker told the Cape Argus she wasn’t prepared to speak to the media.
Table Mountain Action Group spokesperson Andre van Schalkwyk said it was very easy to get lost on the mountain.
“The weather can change quickly and it can become disorientating.”
He warned hikers to be prepared.
“Wear warm clothing, carry food with you and hold on to your phones so you can call for help.” - Cape Argus