Five hurt on CT councillor's hike

schumi

schumi

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Cape Town - A City of Cape Town councillor has found himself in hot water after leading 14 hikers up a dangerous mountain path that had been closed for 33 years.

Sunday’s incident on the Blinkwater Ravine – closed since 1982 – has sparked an investigation by SANParks as to why councillor Anwar Adams took the hikers up the dangerous mountain path. Five of them were injured on the hike.

Adams is a Wilderness Search and Rescue volunteer guide.

Wilderness Search and Rescue spokesman Johan Morais said as the hikers made their way up the path, they heard a noise. A boulder came rolling down the mountain, injuring four hikers and trapping another.

Anwar, who said he had been hiking for almost 40 years, said the incident had been a “freak accident” as he normally led hikers up the dangerous path.

“We were in the narrow ravine and there was no way to avoid the rock. We do this every year and I have been doing this for 39 years. My very first hike was Blinkwater. The pathway is not dangerous, the last time we did it was in November. We were not the only group and we will not be the last.”

A large air and mountain rescue operation began with search teams and paramedics struggling to airlift the injured to safety during the six-hour ordeal.

Morais said: “Two of the hikers, not too seriously injured, walked down. One hiker was packed on a stretcher and two more awaited the arrival of an Oryx Airforce helicopter to be hoisted onto a chopper and then flown off a mountain.”

A woman believed to be 33 years old apparently suffered broken ribs and was airlifted to Cape Town Mediclinic, Morais said.
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http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-afr...n-ct-councillor-s-hike-1.1907927#.VeP1WH2-Opo
 
Looking at his Facebook page it is clear he was aware that this route was dangerous and in fact closed. His love of hiking, especially Table Mountain is obvious so this is an unfortunate incident for him. He should have known better and if he wanted to take experienced hikers up this route should have applied for special permission.
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Silly rules.

The whole idea that adult human beings should "apply for permission" is preposterous. It's their lives. Volenti non fit iniuria and all that.
 
Arthur said:
Silly rules.

The whole idea that adult human beings should "apply for permission" is preposterous. It's their lives. Volenti non fit iniuria and all that.
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100% - the path may be closed but the sign says "proceed at own risk". In my mind the only reason to properly close a path is to allow for erosion recovery, let people determine their own safety, as long as the dangers are pointed out.
 
Lol @ the rule comments.

He did the route safely for 39 years. A boulder falling is a boulder ****ing falling.

Grow up.

A boulder falling bears no relevance to a rule, and no relevance to his 'title'. No permit in the world is going to stop a boulder from falling. I'd like to see you try. "Sorry boulder, I have a permit here. YOU SHALL NOT PASS." *Squish*.

Come off it.

It is a boulder falling.

Glad that they are alright, must have been exciting!
 
Mach III said:
Lol @ the rule comments.

He did the route safely for 39 years. A boulder falling is a boulder ****ing falling.

Grow up.

A boulder falling bears no relevance to a rule, and no relevance to his 'title'. No permit in the world is going to stop a boulder from falling. I'd like to see you try. "Sorry boulder, I have a permit here. YOU SHALL NOT PASS." *Squish*.

Come off it.

It is a boulder falling.

Glad that they are alright, must have been exciting!
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The rule is "Don't is don't go there its not safe"
 
Guide faces ban for leading hikers on closed Table Mountain route

The guide now faces a lifetime ban from SANParks for taking the group down the notorious Blinkwater ravine route which is clearly marked as 'CLOSED'.

According to Merle Collins, Regional Communications Manager for SANParks, "The route has been officially closed since 1982 because of the danger associated with it".

Collins said there is signage at the both ends of the route clearly stating that it is closed. She also said there are at least three alternative routes, namely Slangolie, Woody Ravine and Corrider, which hikers are able to use around the Blinkwater ravine route.
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http://traveller24.news24.com/Explo...ikers-on-closed-Table-Mountain-route-20150831
 
As a councillor, he should obey the rules. Obviously like the rest of our officials, he thinks he is above the law.
 
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