An 18-year-old Russian tourist has been rescued after spending a cold and stormy night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch.

The teenager, who set out on a solo hike along the challenging Panorama Circuit Trail on Thursday morning, was caught off guard by heavy rain and rapidly changing mountain conditions.

According to Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR), the visitor began his hike at 10am after researching routes online. Although he was equipped for good weather, he did not anticipate how dramatically the rainfall would transform the trail.

By late afternoon, paths had turned into streams and certain sections became impassable due to torrents of water flowing down the mountain slopes.

The hiker attempted to turn back but became trapped. At around 4pm, he managed to send a message to a friend, saying he was tired and in trouble. His phone battery died shortly afterward, leaving him alone and unable to call for help.

With no shelter and plummeting temperatures, he took refuge among rocks and spent the night exposed to the elements. Early on Friday morning, he started making his way back toward the reserve entrance at first light.

A large-scale search operation was launched on Friday morning, involving more than 20 WSAR volunteers and members of CapeNature. Using GPS data from the last phone signal, rescuers were able to locate him at 2.44pm near the entrance of the reserve.

He was treated on site for hypothermia by Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS and transported to hospital for further care. The operation concluded just after 16h00.

David Nel, spokesperson for WSAR, emphasised the importance of preparation and respecting the mountains.

“This incident highlights how quickly things can go wrong in the mountains,” he said.

“The mountains are beautiful, but they demand respect and preparation. We strongly encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to take weather warnings seriously and prioritize safety at all times.”

Nel also urged hikers never to venture out alone, to wear appropriate clothing, and to carry enough food, water, and emergency supplies.

“Most importantly, always have the correct emergency number on hand,” he added.

WSAR expressed gratitude to the rescue teams for their quick response and dedication and wished the young hiker a full and speedy recovery.

IOL News

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