Hiking and Mountain Safety
Dave Sclanders . Bergfree
Adventures
Registered Mountain Walking Guide
12 December 2006
(revised 27 May 2007)
The following is a compilation of many written sources pertaining to
Mountain Safety in the uKhahlamba
This article is by no means definitive and not meant to be an absolute
rule book.
These points should lead one to have a safe, enjoyable time in our
Mountain Wilderness.
Hopefully Mountain Leaders will read this, discuss it, and hopefully
become better leaders.
Leaders should always take into account the enormous responsibility they
carry, the safety of the entire party rests with the leader. One careless decision could lead to disaster.
Don’t be put
off by the length of this article, it is all common sense, and may lead to the
saving of a life. One cannot be too careful when seeking adventure in a
Mountainous Environment.
We all have principles or rules whereby we live our daily lives . Yet when some people go to
the Wilderness , they believe “no principles apply”. Why?
The Wilderness is for everyone to marvel at , to unwind, enjoy, and savour the beauty
of unspoiled nature, and to rebuild ones natural inner self. It is also there to
test ones self . However to ”test ones self” – should not be done at the
expense of others.
This
is a pristine, unforgiving environment, don’t abuse it
The uKhahlamba
On entering this
environment you must realise that you are exposing yourself to some risk, the degree
of risk depends entirely on you, and how you behave. GO PREPARED.
Go prepared in the
knowledge, that either on a day hike, or on a longer hike, if someone gets into
trouble or needs medical care, you could be forced to spend the night in the
mountains. This is especially so if someone gets into trouble later in the
afternoon.
When hiking in a
Wilderness area, there are basic rules and principles which govern the protection
of the area and the safe use of the environment, and what it has to offer.
I have a basic set of
rules or principles on which I base my hikes.
These are :
1. Every body
must get home safely
2. Everybody
must enjoy the experience
3. We must
all be friends when we get home
4. Getting to
the Objective is the 4th prize.
The 1st principle being the most important
(I must thank Iona Stewart for these
principles)
Plan around these principles, and everyone will enjoy their Wilderness
Experience
In far too many instances the “End Goal” is the only goal, many first
time hikers never come back again due to a “Bad Leader Experience” – not a “Bad
Mountain Experience”
*******************************
.
The Privileges of the Wilderness Experience
For people who visit or
hike in this Wilderness area, the following privileges are there to be enjoyed
The pristine unspoiled beauty
of the region with its emphasis on solitude, ruggedness, the unpredictable and wild nature of the weather , makes this a self testing area.
Due to the above, “ Lone hikers
are not encouraged”
“You have the Right to Risk” to go
where you want – however it is unacceptable that when you do something risky
without thought , that you may put someone else’s life at risk when have to
come and rescue you.
“You have the Right to
Expect Pristine Conditions” please give the people who follow you the same privilege.
v Littering in the mountains - “Carry
out” - everything that you carry in. Who is going to
“clean up” after you? If you can
carry it In - you can carry it OUT
– too many hikers do not do this !!!!!
v Noise levels to be kept to a minimum, other parties
don’t want
to hear you.
v Ablutions - relieve yourselves at least 5 minutes
walk away from your cave, tent site, hut, watercourse or path .
v Bury your toilet paper properly – it takes years to
breakdown. Every hiking party should have a trowel or small spade to bury body
waste
v Bring all your plastic wrappers, waste paper ,
bottles, tins and other litter back with you to the nearest rubbish bin – the side
of the path or camping area is not a dumping ground.
v NO FIRES are allowed , even in caves – only use gas /pressure cooking stoves
v Washing of utensils – do not wash waste into the
streams,
Leave all solid food material well up the bank where it can be
“broken down” by the environment, or bury it properly.
Stream
ecosystems are extremely fragile and cannot handle solid waste, it also
pollutes the water for other users.
v Do not pick flowers , or take souvenirs out–this of the Park is an offence and
carries a substantial fine
v Graffiti -
don’t leave your name , messages etc on rocks or on Rock Art
v Rock Art – Do not touch, wet, trace, rub, clean,
deface any Rock Art site. Heavy fines can be imposed for this
v Paths – stick to the recognised path, do not take
short cuts, it causes erosion. In most cases perceived “short cuts” are more
strenuous, not to mention more dangerous
v Rocks – take care not to dislodge rocks , they can
be danger to hikers below you, and start
unnecessary erosion and rock slides
v Take all the photos you want, Leave only your
footprints .Keep the mountain clean, and take home all your rubbish. Most importantly take home incredible
memories of a special time spent in an Incredible Wilderness Area.
VISITOR MANAGEMENT
It is advisable that parties hiking in the berg should be at least 4 strong.
To hike alone is not recommended
No parties may be greater than 12 members
There are limits as to the maximum number of people in a Mountain hut/cave/
camping site or catchment area, which will be enforced
All caves and huts must be booked through the relevant offices.
Hikers with bookings have preference to
the hut or cave over hikers who have not booked. Always carry your booking slip
with you.
Many caves on or near the summit plateaux may not be booked due to their
location, and may be used by locals. All hikers are advised to carry tents when
planning to overnight on or near the summit.
Caves may be temporarily closed for a recovery period - especially when
badly soiled by inconsiderate hikers.
The use of tents in the wilderness is allowed, unless demarcated as a
non-camping area on the official Drakensberg hiking map.
No camping is allowed within 3 kms of a major camp development, 1 km from
a mountain hut, or in ANY Rock Art Painted Shelter or cave
Persons, who touch or interfere in any way with Rock Art or ancient
artefacts, are liable to heavy fines and even imprisonment.
Visitors are advised that they should carry camping equipment even if
they expect to spend a night in a cave, as weather conditions or other factors
may result in them not reaching their objective.
This is especially applicable when hiking on top of the Escarpment – Do
Not Rely on escarpment caves for sleeping. Bad weather conditions could be a
serious threat to further travel. Someone else may already be in the cave
ALL hikers should fill in the Mountain Register (available at all EKZN
Wildlife offices in the berg)
Who is the
Leader?
Anyone who leads any number of people into the berg is the Leader.
Trained or untrained. The leader is ultimately “totally responsible” for
whatever happens to anyone in the group, and for whatever
happens in the area that they have hiked in.
The leader must take full blame for a “ Good Hike”, or a “Bad Hike”
DAY HIKES
It is not compulsory for Day visitors or Day hikers to fill in the Day
Hiking Register. However it is strongly recommended for anyone intending to do
a long day hike, or any day hike that goes above the 2200 meter contour level
to do so.
Safety Suggestions for Day Hikers
ü Generally hiking alone is not advised, this is particularly
dangerous if hiking long distances to remote areas or in poor weather
conditions
ü Plan your route from the latest EKZN Wildlife Hiking
map – do not rely on the day hike maps provided, they only give a sketchy
indication of the area.
ü Let somebody know your intended route, and expected
time of return – family, friend, guest house owner etc.
ü Have a fully charged cell phone, with all relevant
emergency numbers entered (see end of this report for important numbers)
ü Plan your route with the un-fittest member of your
party in mind
ü Remember altitude and heat slow you down. From my
experience, the average day hiker should not plan to walk at more than 3 kms
per hour , including stops
ü Carry a day pack with emergency food, clothing,
torch – with full batteries, extra water, whistle, you cannot shout loud for long.
Emergency safety blanket. Remember in Summer heavy thunderstorms can impede
your travel plans. In winter short day lengths and extreme cold can cause
problems
ü Check at the relevant EKZN Wildlife office for up to
date information of the area, and for the weather outlook.
ü Fill in the Day register correctly, with a short
description of your route – for the longer hikes be more specific with the route,
expected return time and a contact number of someone who knows you and your
route.
ü Do not deviate from your route. If you see that you
are running into problems with timing etc, make a new plan as soon as possible.
ü Watch the weather at all times, it can change
dramatically and suddenly. If it looks like something is going to happen, get
back to a major path as soon as you can. Check your map and know where you are
– exactly - so you can plan escape
routes should you be caught in the bad weather
ü Watch for weary party members who may be a problem
later in the day.
ü Parents with children – remember – temperature,
hats, good sunscreen, re-hydration, foot wear, warm clothing for later, energy
sweets, route and terrain. Watch the children closely -
when they run out of energy – they become a liability. How far can you carry
them?
ü Report back to the office on your return
ü Remember – even day hikes can end under difficult
circumstances. Be prepared.
ü Report anyone not behaving in a proper manner to the
nearest EKZN Wildlife office
ü Report dirty huts or caves to the office
ü Report sightings of illegal persons travelling
through the park to the nearest EKZNW office
ü Day hikes can be as pleasant or as unpleasant as you
make them. Plan carefully
Overnight Hikes
Overnight
hikers are required to fill in the Overnight Hiking Register.
Not filling in the Mountain Register correctly is irresponsible, remember people
may have to risk their lives looking for you, the sooner they can find
you the better.
Should you decide not to fill in the register, or do it badly, do not
expect to be rescued in a short a time as you would like.
Remember a rescue attempt will only be started once you have been missing
for 24 hours. The wider they have to search, the longer you will stay in the
mountain. The choice is yours.
It also seems to me that there are groups and leaders who do little
planning, and don’t really know where they are going, or what to expect.
Once you have filled the register in correctly, don’t change your plans
unless in an emergency. Rescue teams will look for you around our planned
route.
Fill the
register in properly “it is only for your safety” Nobody else’s
Safety Suggestions for the Longer Overnight Hike
Ø Hiking parties should NOT be less than 4 strong
Ø The leader or planner of the hike should not plan a
route what “They” want to do, but around what the group can do. Alternatively pick a group of people who are fit
enough to do the hike the leader wants to do.
Ø Plan your route well with the updated EKZN Wildlife
Hiking maps – obtainable from all EKZN Wildlife Mountain Offices , as well as
Queen Elizabeth Park Head Office in Pietermaritzburg
Ø Contact the local EKZN Wildlife office with regards
to the current situation in the intended hiking area.
Ø Visit the EKZN Wildlife web site to get the current information on
the berg: Go to : www.kznwildlife.com
Go
to : Activities
Go to : Weekend Report
There is a lot of
information on this site
Ø Check the long range weather forecast see
Ø The leader should be a good map reader
Ø If the leader uses a GPS, make sure the GPS is set
up for the map being used – a GPS and map that are incompatible are useless to everyone
Ø If GPS points
are being used from another source,
ensure on what setting they were recorded by the recorder at the time.
Ø Ensure that the GPS has reliable batteries, as well
as a number of spare batteries depending on the length of the trip.
Ø Plan the hike with the un-fittest of your members in
mind
Ø All members of the party should be well briefed on
the intended route, and kept updated as to where they are during the hike
Ø If you intend using caves or Mountain huts, book
these early
With the relevant camp manager
Ø The leader should be an experienced person in
mountain walking – and hopefully have some knowledge of the area you are to
hike in
Ø Inform someone back home of your exact plan , route
timings , escape routes , and expected time out.
Ø Fill in the Mountain Register Correctly, and fully,
with all names, ages, next-of- kin contact numbers etc. As well as your
intended route in detail . Your cell phone, in your backpack IS NOT a contact
number.
Ø Make sure that the leader knows of any ailments
members of the party might have, and other relevant information such as
allergies and chronic medication requirements. Also how to administer it.
Ø Medical Aid Information should also be made known to
the leader
Ø The Leader at least should have a fully charged Cell
phone , with all the relevant rescue and contact numbers put in
Ø That all members of his hiking party should know his
pin number.
Ø Where possible have another cell phone from a
different network , in case your network goes down , or may not be accessible.
Ø Leader to check that all members of the party have
the right kit with them, and enough food for the duration of the hike, as well
as a spare days food.
Ø Before starting to walk make sure all car keys ,
wallets ,etc are securely packed in a safe place in the backpack
Ø Ensure that cell phones are packed in a secure
waterproof container – I have
experienced a hiker who had hiked all day in the rain( – day hike ), no back
pack cover, cell phone in the top of his backpack – the cell phone “shorted out” due to the very
wet conditions
Ø The onus is on the leader to assess his or her
potential hiking group before finalising the group, or the route. Take into
account the severity of the hike and don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions about
your hikers abilities. One hiker out of his or her depth can jeopardise the
safety of the entire group
Hiking Rules
Who can make rules? Every group will have it’s own rules, depending on
the experience of the leader of that party. Some parties just blunder on
without any appointed leader, without any fixed idea of where they are going, some even without a map! No one being responsible for
pollution, noise, fires, toilet procedures etc. I have witnessed the most
incredible situations with “other hiking groups” on many occasions. With total lack of interest on what they leave
behind – as long as they have a good time “to bad for the rest” It is a wonder
that many more hikers are not “claimed by the mountains”
A general rule of thumb is to hike for 50 minutes, and rest for 10.
However a pace must be set that everyone can keep up with the each other.
Rules are more common sense than anything else.
So lets call it Points to Consider whilst Hiking
The leaders should :
·
Have an appointed Sub leader
, who should know the plans and formalities of the route intimately. Should be
able to take over fully should something happen to the leader
·
Appoint an official
‘sweeper” for the hike – nobody should be behind the sweeper. The sweeper could
be the sub leader.
·
Should never get so far
in front of the sweeper so as that he/she has no idea as to what is happening at the
back of the group. ( how long must he/she wait at a point before going back to see what
is happening at the back? Fearless
leaders who think they must show everyone how fit they are , are bad leaders)
·
In poor weather and
visibility, close the hiking party up, have regular stops at 15 minute intervals to
check that the whole party is still together. Also check out the lay of the
land.
·
On hot days, or hard
climbs the leader should constantly check each member to see how they are
coping at that time. Dehydration, sunburn, blisters, altitude sickness, must be
spotted as soon as possible, and treatment done.
·
Not allow Individual
members to break away from the group to
go and “Explore”, and meet “somewhere” later
·
Never allow the group to
be split up – this is when the most accidents have happened in the past. If the
going is tough, the terrain broken and paths are indistinct, it is up to the
leader to ensure the group stays together. I have heard of too many stories
where the leader has lost contact with the group , and the party splits up all over the
mountain – not good leadership. You can only go as fast as the slowest member
in the group, no matter how strong or impatient you may be
·
If there are stronger
members in the group, maybe let them go ahead to an easily identifiable point, where
they must then wait for the rest. The leader must be able to keep in contact with both groups until they
join up. If something happens to a back hiker, how does the leader recall the
front runners??
·
Should keep everyone
regularly informed of their progress, and where they are on the map .Make a
point to look back now and again to see where they have come from. What would
the party do if something happened to the leader?
·
At an overnight spot,
designate a safe toilet area – well away from water - for all to use. Discuss
toilet and ablution etiquette – ensure a trowel/spade is available for all to
use.
·
Make sure that no kit or
rubbish, candle wax etc is left at the last resting spot or overnight place.
·
Back marker must ensure that
no one drops rubbish along the path as they go, if so to pick it up – sort the
culprit out. Leave the path clean behind you.
·
If tenting, make sure
that you tent in a safe place, not in a stream bed, or close to the banks. If
possible, sleep on the side of the stream in which direction you wish to
proceed the next day, or can retrace your steps to a safe way out, in case of
heavy rain in the night.
·
In snow conditions put
your tents up on a ridge.
·
Do not leave unguarded
packs or kit in caves, tents or huts. Times have changed.
·
Wherever you spend the
night, make sure all equipment is safely secured in the tents or cave at night.
·
In summer, know which
streams/rivers could be problems if heavy rains are encountered, have
alternative plans if the river is high. Fast flowing streams are a danger to
cross. It may mean waiting for some time for the stream level to drop before
crossing. Check the map carefully and see what water catchement area is above your crossing point, and plan
accordingly
·
Never cross a swollen
stream, the power of water is easily underestimated and sadly costs many lives
each year. Due to the steep terrain in the berg stream levels tend to drop as
quickly as they rise. Be patient and don’t take risks
·
Winters have shorter
daylight hours – plan accordingly
·
In winter know which
water sources may be dry, and how that will affect your overnight spot. If
water seems short, always fill water bottles at every opportunity.
·
If the cave or hut is
away from water, carry suitable containers to get a suitable amount of water to
the camp for the night. An empty 5 litre wine vat is a very useful item. It is
light, collapsible, easy to fill with water.
You may have to carry water to the campsite, or come back later to fetch it.
The normal day water bottle is not suitable for this.
·
Snow, Ice and hypothermia
are killers in Winter, but just as dangerous is Heat stroke, dehydration and
Hyperthermia. Prepare carefully for the weather extremes you are likely to
encounter.
·
A high factor sun cream
is essential
High
altitude escarpment hikes
Border
Procedures
Remember that in certain places along the escarpment, you will enter the
Hiking Considerations
(All the points mentioned above) , as well as the following to be
considered-
Hiking at high altitude has a whole set of extra points that should be considered. This area should only be hiked by the very fit
and experienced hikers who have the proper kit, and can manage under extreme
weather conditions. The summit is not for lone hikers. All food, high quality
clothes and tents, cooking utensils must be carried on your back. In addition, 2 days extra
food should be carried in addition to
the food for the trip.
Good maps, route planning, and map reading skills in all weathers is a
prerequisite for hiking here. They should also be good “weather readers”
Do not rely on sleeping in caves, you may not find them, or be able to
get to them, or find that they are already being used. - Tents must be carried
for all hikes in the high berg. Hike leaders should be experienced with” high
altitude mountain experience”, know the
area, and be able to recognise early symptoms of high altitude or mountain
sickness.
There are few paths, the area is very rough, far from communication and
help. Escape routes are few, and hard to negotiate under extreme conditions.
Weather conditions can change dramatically in a short space of time from
beautiful to terribly dangerous. It is not recommended that hiking be attempted
in thick mist or snow, sit and wait for good visibility before proceeding.
Proper planning is essential for this high altitude area.
Lightning – Don’t panic, stay put. Slowly move
away from high exposed rocky areas. Move
to lower slopes. Don’t run and stay well away from livestock and trees. Do not bunch up together
Hail
- try to find some sort of
shelter, or cover yourself with your
backpack. In very heavy hail, you may have to sit it out under your backpack.
Fires – Fire is used as a conservation tool in the Drakensberg.
Management burns are usually planned and all attempts are made to conduct these
burns during the quite season. Notices are usually put up near the mountain
registers when these burns are planned. Sadly Arson and Naturally occurring
fires are a real hazard. When hiking always be on the lookout for smoke.
Monitor the wind direction and prepare to change your route at short notice.
Never try and outrun a fire. As a last resort set fire to the ground around you
and then step into the burnt area. Failing that run downhill through the
approaching fire after smothering yourself in whatever water you have available. When hiking in winter check with the relevant
office as to what the fire situation is likely to be. If the area you intend to
hike in has just been burnt, consider other areas to hike in. Hiking and
sleeping in a freshly burnt area is not much fun.
HIKING IN THE BERG –
“What Security Measures to Take?”
How safe is hiking in the berg?? From time to time there are reports of hikers
being harassed in the mountains. I have experienced an occurrence where all our kit was taken from
our cave while we were out on a sight seeing walk in the late afternoon. We had
to walk out in the dark with no torches or anything – not pleasant at all.
If planning to hike in far away places in the berg,
or on the escarpment, the following points may be of interest in the mountain
situation for the Drakensberg area.
1. Research the area you want to hike in, contact EKZN Wildlife Head Office,
or the regional officers, for up to date information on the situation in the
area you plan to hike in or through. The Mountain Club of S.A – Kwa Zulu-Natal region
and Mountain Hiking Clubs can give valuable information of many areas and
routes. Remember, the information received is only as good as you use it, and
also the situation can change at any time( also check the long range weather
forecast)
2. Do not plan to over-night in any known or suspected hot spot, or near
a mountain pass that is well used by other mountain people. Plan to walk well
past the area before camping or camp in a concealed place before reaching that
area.
3. Watch out for people following you or watching you, this will be
mainly on the escarpment
4. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, know where you are, and
know where the nearest escape route is at all times.
5. Should you for any reason have to sleep in a suspect area, or think
that you are being followed, plan an early supper, re-arrange your kit so that
when it becomes time to camp, you just erect our tent up, and roll out your
sleeping bag.
6. Walk well into the night before setting up camp. Pitch tents as close
to each other as possible. It may be uncomfortable but safer for the one night
7. Do not sleep at the base of a rocky outcrop – pick a space away from
potential attacker cover.
8. Sleep fully clothed boots at hand, all kit packed in your backpack, whistle,
torch and cell phone fixed to your body.
9. Keep important documents, money, car keys, maps, on your body or in a
jacket next to you.
10. Have a night watch, at the first sign of trouble, blow
whistles to let the attackers know that they have been detected .Pull on your
boots, grab your jacket, and pack if possible, and take up your pre-planned
defensive strategy. If you have to run, you have all your kit with you except
your tent and sleeping bag.
11. Have a pre-planned signals and a meeting point in case you do get
split up.
12. If you do not plan to have a
night watch , pack all your kit in your back pack place the backpacks in the middle of the tent
, fix a piece of string to your hand and
to the backpack, so should it be moved you will feel it.
Essentials like torch,
whistle, cell phone, car keys etc. to be on your person
13. Should you come across any mountain people whilst hiking be
courteous, you are in their turf, do not arouse hostility, and do not at any
stage get near the dogs. They are very protective to their owners.
14. Should you have to approach a kraal or hut, be very careful about the dogs?
They are trained to guard the area – be
warned, do not antagonize them. The owner may not be at home to control them
should the dogs attack you.
15. Stick to your prepared hiking route so that if you should be late in
getting home, a family member should know where Search and Rescue Parties can
start looking.
16. In case of bad weather hindering progress, don’t wander around
aimlessly you may end up far away from your route. Put up camp, and wait for
better weather.
I have deliberately not mentioned fire arms. It is bad enough that a few
hostile individuals in the mountains use stones, sticks and whips to rob hikers
for food and clothing. It would be a disaster if organized bands of well armed
thugs started to attack hikers with high powered rifles to rob “all hikers of
the firearms they are assumed to be carrying”. That is in no-ones interest.
Be aware, be prepared, keep a good look out for any signs of being watched,
plan to camp in safer areas, know your route, plan for possible danger areas.
Hiking in small groups or alone is not a good idea
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Most of the serious problems are related to either injury or extreme weather
conditions. Injuries can happen anywhere, even in a major campsite. In many cases
these injuries are due to being tired and loose concentration, or just a slip
of concentration at a crucial time. In bad or wet weather, more care is need
than on a good day. It is also a fact that accidents can happen at any time of
the day. Leaders should have plans for that bad injury or situation that
happens late in the afternoon. As one
walks later into the afternoon, the chances of a rescue on the same day become
less and less.
Plans of action should
be thought through long in advance and kept in mind all the time.
Fairly far from camp to high in the mountain
- How far are we away from an alarm/ rescue
point
- How far do we have to go to get cell phone communications, and how long will it
take
- Will someone have to walk to raise the alarm,
what is the time frame for this
- Who will go to raise the alarm ( at least 2
people should go to get help)
- What are the short term weather prospects in
the rescue area
- How close can a rescue helicopter get to the
injured party
- Will some of the hiking
party be needed to help carry the injured to a pick up zone
- Can the injured party stay where they are, or
must they be moved to a safer area
- In a serious case, how do you move them
without causing more injury
- Who will be able to stay with the injured
party until such time as rescue arrives
- When will the decision be made to send the
rest of the party out, and only leave the injured and a back up team
behind
- Who will lead the rest of the party out, if
they can get out once all the rescue arrangements are made
- If it is now too late for all to walk out,
what overnight arrangements can be made to keep everyone in a safe
condition
Fairly close to camp
- If some is feeling sick, or has suffered an injury fairly close to
camp, it is the duty of the leader to insure that, that person is
escorted back safely to camp, or in case of an injury taken for a medical
check up as soon as possible. Twisted ankles etc can turn out to be
breaks. The affected person should not under any circumstanced be allowed
to proceed on their own back to camp. The Safety of any member of the
party is more important than the hike. The affected member should be
accompanied by at least 3 other hikers. Should the injury turn into
something more serious later in the day , the other members can make plans
to go and fetch more help , while 1 member stays with
the injured member. If the hike has to be abandoned
early , or because there are not enough members to escort the injured
party , and for the rest to carry on , so be it.
These are some of the
perplexing questions that are not normally discussed, or thought through. The
reason why, is that no leader wants to be in that situation
Once an emergency
situation has arisen, what steps should be taken
- Stabilise the injured person
- Ascertain as best one can the exact extent of the injury
- Send 2 people to raise the alarm
They should have a written message with the following information
1. Name of the Lead person and the Hiking Group
2. Names and ages of all members in the group
3. The exact medical condition of the injured
4. Injured persons name, age, sex and next-of-kin contact numbers
5. If they have a medical aid or not, medical aid name, and contract number
6. The exact location of the incident, a GPS reading, including the GPS setting if one is available. Or a exact map reference point
7. Weather situation at the time
8. Whether technical gear will be needed to reach the injured
9. How far the rescue group is from the injured person
10. The alarm group should not leave the area from which they have cell phone contact until the rescue co-ordinator tells them to
11. The Alarm team must understand totally the full rescue plan from the co-ordinator before they head back to report to the accident scene.
12. What gear is available should the party have to overnight with the injured person , ie tents etc.
13. Give the rescue co-ordinator their cell phone number
EMERGENCY RESCUE NUMBERS
Help is available at any of the following contact numbers
The International dialling code for RSA is +00 and
- Conservation Manager North uKhahlamba : 036
4386423 or 084 629 1647
- Conservation Manager Central uKhahlamba : 036
353 3616 or 083 339 0615
- Conservation Manager South uKhahlamba :
033 702 1205 or 082 789 4029
- Mountain Club of
- Emergency Medical Rescue :
0800 005133
- South African Police Service :
10111
- Lesotho Mounted Police Service (Mokhotlong)
22920366/ 22920310/ 58844390 ( for incidents in
Remember that rescue teams may
have to risk their lives to save yours, please act responsibly when enjoying
this World Heritage Site
References used :
KZN Wildlife pamphlet – Its Tough at the Top
Hiking Safely in the Drakensberg
KZN Wildlife pamphlet – How to enjoy the Drakensberg
KZN Wildlife pamphlet – Overnight Hiking in the Drakensberg Wilderness
KZN Wildlife pamphlet – Outdoor Living at
KZN Wildlife pamphlet – Mountain Safety (unpublished)
KZN Wildlife website – Hiking Weekend Report
KZN Wildlife website – Hiking – Vital Information
KZN Wildlife website – uKhahlamba
Site – Overnight Hiking
KZN Wildlife website – Hiking Stories
Should you need any advice on hiking, please felt free to contact me.