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Of the more recent security incidents in the Berg, what transpired over at Giants Castle Easter in 2005 is among the most disturbing and most publicised. A group of hikers was viciously attacked and robbed on the escarpment.

The following account was originally published on the now decommissioned Mountain Incidents Database.

I was the leader of a party of six experienced hikers (five men plus my wife) who were undertaking the Grand Traverse from the police post at the foot of Sani Pass to Mont aux Sources. On the night of Thursday, 24th March 2005, we were viciously attacked by a group of seven Lesotho herdsmen and most of our equipment was stolen. The modus operandi used by the attackers was to hurl rocks at our tents from a vantage point above us, forcing us out of the tents. They then ran down and helped themselves to our belongings. The attack took place on the summit between Giants Pass and Langalibalele Pass.

The five men in our group retaliated by charging the attackers, resulting in a temporary retreat. This allowed us to grab our hiking boots, which mercifully had been left behind. However, the rock hurling started once more, causing us to retreat from the tents, and most of the remainder of our food and belongings were stolen. One of our members received painful bodily bruising and he and another received a lashing with stock whips. Once they had taken most of our possessions, the attackers disappeared and we were left to spend the rest of the night in the dark and cold without food. Although there was moonlight, my maps and GPS had been stolen, making it unwise to move before daylight. Fortunately, they had left our tents and all but one sleeping bags.

In the morning, it was decided to retrace our steps to Giants Pass and to descend to the contour path in a group and so we packed our few remaining possessions in plastic bags which proved very awkward to carry. Once the contour path was in sight, I went ahead with another hiker, to raise the alarm at Giants Castle camp, leaving my wife, a registered nurse, and two other members to care for the worst injured member in our group, who had difficulty in descending. Once they reached a flattish area on the contour path they erected a tent to protect him from a heavy rain storm and to enable him to be given some necessary First Aid. After about an hour, we met two hikers with a cell phone, who helped us contact the duty officer at Giants Castle Camp to report the situation and request assistance to get the injured hiker off the mountain.

Within an hour a SAP helicopter from Pietermaritzburg, with a paramedic from Netcare on board, flew over and, shortly after, spotted the tent. After landing and checking the condition of the sick man, the pilot made two trips to ferry the four hikers down to the camp. Meanwhile, my companion and I carried on down to the camp, carrying our dustbin bags. On reaching Giants Castle Camp, we were treated like royalty. The camp chef, Shaun Moss, whose accommodation was closest to the helipad, turned his home into a receiving depot, providing warmth, blankets, hot drinks sandwiches and , beyond the call of duty, sets of his own clothing for us to wear and shampoo for our use.

Our injured member was thoroughly checked by the Netcare paramedic. In addition to the helicopter crew, two constables from the nearest SAP station arrived to take statements, and were followed shortly by the area Captain and Wildlife Investigation officers, emphasising the seriousness with which the police viewed this incident. 2. Once statements and descriptions of stolen items had been taken, we were allocated a 6-bed chalet in the camp and were provided with an evening meal and breakfast next morning, all at no cost. The camp Hospitatity Manager, Nyn Benadie and Warden Alan Howell could not do enough for us. The following morning we were transported some 200 kms to Witsieshoek to get our vehicles and enable us to return home, again at no cost. In relation to the above events, I would like to make some important observations:

* The whole rescue mission and aftercare was swift, highly efficient and compassionate. It is hard to believe that service of such a high standard can be provided out of the R1.00 that is taken from the daily hiking fee.Such an operation must cost thousands of rands.

* The SAP, Netcare and Giant’s Castle staff involved are to be highly commended for the concern and care given to us all.

* The SAP have given the Lesotho police a detailed description of our goods, in the hope that someone may be apprehended trying to dispose of them in Mokhotlong.

* SAP and KZN Wildlife security operations were instituted following the attack on the Treverton College teachers and their pupils in a similar incident some time ago. As a result, there were no further incidents of this kind and the operation was called off last month. It would seem that the problem is starting again, and the SAP and KZN Wildlife will be considering further steps to try to ensure the safety of hikers on the High Berg.

* Incidents like these are harmful to tourism. For instance, there was a large group of American tourists at the resort, who got to hear of the incident. Although groups such as these are unlikely to climb the Berg, the details of the incident become clouded in the telling and retelling, until the whole area is implicated, despite the fact that the culprits are from Lesotho and therefore are only likely to attack on the High Berg. In addition, our families in Australia , USA and UK were also told about it. All this has a ripple effect.

* Immediately after our incident, KZN Wildlife and the SAP scanned the High Berg by helicopter and warned hikers who were on their way to the High Berg to turn back. Unfortunately, one group refused to do so. Such behaviour is irresponsible and unfair on the rescue services should such an incident occur again. Presumably, the group would expect assistance.

* This is the second time that my wife has been robbed on the summit, but this should be weighed against the many times that we have hiked on the summit without any adverse incidents. Because we have been to the top so many times, we are unlikely to go again, but will rather concentrate on the many beautiful walks in the Lower Berg. However, it would be a pity if incidents such as these put other hikers off from visiting the High Berg in future.

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