Whenever we hit the great outdoors, we put ourselves at risk. Injuries, rockfall, snakebites, dehydration, heatstroke, hypothermia and getting lost – over and over crime – are genuine risks. Please prepare when you are going out and about.
Basic mountain safety tips
- Before you head out, familiarise yourself with the route, terrain, difficulty and expected time required to complete the trail. Buy a map to be sure.
- Don’t hike alone. If something happens to you, there won’t be anyone to call for help
- Pack a minimum of 2 litres of water, and more when it is hot
- In summer: head out early and avoid the mid-day heat.
- Pack food
- Always pack a windbreaker or rain jacket. The weather on the mountain can change rapidly
- Wear adequate hiking shoes and clothing
- Avoid hiking in or straight after bad weather if you don’t have the right gear. Hypothermia can be fatal.
- Watch the weather and get a proper weather forecast and don’t expect the Cable Car to run (keep an eye on changes here)
- Keep the group together and move at the pace of the slowest member.
- Always carry a cell phone and know the emergency rescue numbers (see below)
- Avoid walking in the dark, but carry a torch just in case you need one.
- Join SafetyMountain Tracking
Save these numbers on your phone:
– Wilderness Search & Rescue: 021 937 0300
– Table Mountain National Park: 021 957 4700 (fires, fallen trees, cars locked inside the park, etc)
– National Sea Rescue Institute: 021 449 3500 (You may see a vessel in trouble from the trail)
– SA Police: 10111
– City of Cape Town emergency services: 021 480 7700 or 107
– Ambulance service: 021 937 0500 (provincial) & 082911 (Netcare)
Snake handlers: 082 532 5033 (Shaun