LET’S face it, no matter how much one hunts, fishes or spends time in the woods, it is very difficult to be like Bear Grylls, the adventurer and television presenter.
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Well, two experienced hikers pulled out all the stops and survived a 32-hour ordeal at the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve last Saturday.
What started out as a day hike for friends Pastor Willie Henning (68) from Port Edward and Dr Corne van Rensburg (66) from Amanzimtoti will surely be remembered for ever.
The men set out on the Nkonka Trail at about 8.30am on Saturday.
The trail
They apparently got lost on the one of the ‘Long Walk’ trails and were expected back at around 4pm but, when they failed to return, family members grew concerned and raised the alarm.
John Nicholas, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said a search was conducted by the police search and rescue, GB Med Security, local farmers and the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife park rangers.
“An extensive search throughout the night revealed no sign of the two men and the search continued from first light with a police K-9 search and rescue team joining in.
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“On Sunday morning some communication was made by cellphone by the two hikers, confirming that they were safe but lost in thick mist and rain,” he said.
“That afternoon the weather lifted for half an hour and local pilot Deon Riley volunteered his helicopter to assist in the search. We flew over an area where we thought they might be, based on all indications, despite it being a barely accessible area. They were spotted there, but well off the hiking trail. They were pick up by pilot Riley,” said Mr Nicholas.
The men said that during the hike conditions were very hot and humid and they left the trail to take a swim in a stream.
Weather
“The weather changed, with thick mist and heavy rains and we couldn’t find the hiking trail,” said Pastor Henning.
“We stayed close to the river and spent the night under the stars. With our thin ponchos as our only defence against the cold, and lunch leftovers for dinner, we managed to survive the night. We were fine and only felt the chill on Sunday morning at about 4am. We knew we would be rescued and waited at the stream for the rescue team, which arrived at 4pm,” he said.
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He added that he and Mr van Rensburg would be hanging up their hiking boots for a while and maybe only think of another hike in a couple of months’ time.
Thankful
Pastor Henning thanked the rescue team including the Umtamvuna honorary officers, NSRI Port Edward, SAPS K9 Search and Rescue Port Shepstone, GP Security, Specialized Search and Rescue Balito, Ezomvelo KZN conservationists, MedEvac ambulance services, Peter Breed, Port Edward Ratepayers and pilot Deon Riley.
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