Five people stranded on Sentinel Peak in the Drakensberg have been safely rescued after heavy snowfall left them cut off from the outside world.
The group became trapped on Monday night as worsening weather conditions made it increasingly difficult to leave the mountain. Concerns grew as their food and water supplies began running low.
Search and Rescue teams from Gauteng and the Free State, together with ER24 paramedics, launched an operation to reach the hikers.
According to Kyle Nesbitt from the Search and Rescue Association of South Africa, rescuers established a forward base at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge before travelling towards Sentinel Peak.
Rescue vehicles were equipped with snow chains to navigate the treacherous conditions, while a SHERP all-terrain rescue vehicle was deployed to tackle the difficult terrain.
The journey to Sentinel Parking, approximately seven kilometres away, took about two hours because of the heavy snow and challenging conditions.
Once rescuers reached the group, the hikers were assessed and provided with food and warmth before being escorted safely down the mountain.
Nesbitt said the group was in good spirits and had no immediate medical concerns, but warned that their situation could have become increasingly dangerous had the rescue operation been delayed.
He urged hikers venturing into areas affected by severe weather to prepare for unexpected conditions and carry at least 48 hours' worth of food, along with suitable cold- and wet-weather clothing.
Hikers should also have an emergency plan and conserve their cellphone batteries, particularly in areas where mobile phone coverage is limited.
Nesbitt cautioned hikers against unnecessarily using their phones, stressing that the device could be their only means of contacting emergency services.
“Don't use your phone as a torch,” he warned.
The successful rescue comes as parts of the Drakensberg continue to experience harsh winter conditions, with authorities urging the public to exercise extreme caution when travelling or hiking in snow-affected areas.