[Cape Town] Drone Calms Stricken Hiker

Came across and old lady out on a walk recently that had lost her way. Simply took a wrong turn and ended up a long way from where she thought she was and being an old person had no phone or nav handy to figure out how to get back. This on a well trodden path.
Point is, it happens to even experienced hikers which is why these rescue teams exist. Happens more often than we think and I’d hazard a guess that WSAR do most of their work not far off the well trodden paths.
 
There are stories from around the world of hikers getting lost and dying. Even people dying after their vehicle broke down and they got lost trying to find help.

I'd imagine someone that is lost will start to panic, worsening their disorientation. This heightened level of stress probably uses up a lot of energy, and suddenly you are fatigued and stuck in a treacherous place, and trying to carry on becomes dangerous (risk of falling). Best thing he could have done was to eventually stay put and call for help.

The takeaway I have seen from all of these rescues or deaths related to lost hikers is that staying put is your best chance at surviving. If it involves a vehicle, stay near it, as rescuers almost always find an abandoned vehicle first. If you are hiking, stay on or near a trail, someone will eventually come along and if not, rescuers always check known trails first.

EDIT: Of course, this doesn't include the idiots that head out solo way over their head, off trail, into unmapped areas, at the worst time of the year weather wise.
 
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Sideshow Bob said:
Fine seems harsh but this particular rescue must have cost a lot of money really. No doubt a person's life is worth more, one could argue but then homeless that die on the streets don't get rescued, do they ?
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i suspect the cost of sending in drones, their operators - and the rest of the teams involved, is significantly less than that of rescue helicopter, medical / surgical costs etc .
in terms of both time and money
 
Anthro said:
They are, I don't know what this dimwit was doing in the area of Skeleton gorge though - that is a hella dangerous hike unprepared.
We normally take food, drink, clothes with doing that its a 16KM hike
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Some people just look at the distance and forget they are climbing a mountain.

16km is a easy morning walk.
 
rustypup said:
He wandered into that situation and couldn't wander back out?



That's next level "should not have been anywhere outside of a shopping center" type stupidity. Unless the terrain suddenly morphed into impassable around him, the claim is non-sensical.

Spent many years blundering around Drakensburg, even camping up there, and never - ever - had anything remotely akin to this happen. I guess I just can't picture how this is possible.
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Lol first time ever I probably agree with you on anything. There so many people making excuses for stupidity and that's why they won't learn from this.

You just need some non hiker friends to understand how this happens.

I have seen it a few times. Someone climbs onto a rock because it doesn't look that bad/high from the bottom and when they are up all of a sudden they are stuck and afraid of heights. Even though it is relatively easy to get down the same way they got up.
 
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PaulKempTheSecond said:
Came across and old lady out on a walk recently that had lost her way. Simply took a wrong turn and ended up a long way from where she thought she was and being an old person had no phone or nav handy to figure out how to get back. This on a well trodden path.
Point is, it happens to even experienced hikers which is why these rescue teams exist. Happens more often than we think and I’d hazard a guess that WSAR do most of their work not far off the well trodden paths.
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SA just does not have wilderness hiking areas big enough to really get lost in. It's not a danger.

On day routes I'll just wonder off on any path. I have accidentally done like an extra 10km but meh.
 
A heli-vac costs many 10's of K. I often see people lifted off Lion's head - tourists who roll their ankles or suffer from exhaustion. We want to create a safe and adventurous environment here so people visit. What hurts us way more than a few thousand rescuing are these criminals in the hills - it's a constant battle.
 
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