PICS | Russian tourist survives wild Cape storm after getting lost on hike

Cape Town — An 18-year-old Russian tourist was rescued on Friday afternoon after enduring a cold and stormy night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch, following a solo hike that went dangerously wrong.

The teenager had set out on the demanding Panorama Circuit Trail at around 10am on Thursday after researching Cape Town’s hiking options online. While he was equipped for standard trail conditions, he was unprepared for the intense weather that followed.

According to Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR), heavy rain during the day turned sections of the trail into shallow streams and rendered parts of the route impassable.

The hiker became stranded when rising water levels blocked his path forward. He attempted to backtrack, and at approximately 4pm, he managed to send a message to a friend, saying he was exhausted and in trouble. His phone battery died shortly after.

With no shelter and temperatures dropping rapidly overnight, the teen took cover among rocks to shield himself from the elements.

A large-scale rescue effort was launched on Friday morning, with over 20 WSAR volunteers and CapeNature professionals mobilised. GPS data from the last known phone location guided teams into the reserve.

He was eventually located near the entrance of the reserve at 2:44pm on Friday, after attempting to walk back toward safety at first light.

A Western Cape Government EMS paramedic treated the hiker on site for hypothermia before he was transported to hospital for further care. The operation concluded just after 4:30pm.

WSAR spokesperson David Nel said the incident served as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can arise unexpectedly in mountainous areas.

“The mountains are beautiful, but they demand respect and preparation. We strongly encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to take weather warnings seriously and prioritise safety at all times. Always review the weather forecast before heading out. If conditions look risky, delay your hike,” Nel said.