Rhino Peak hiker rescued after freezing night trapped in snow-filled Drakensberg gully

A winter hike in the southern Drakensberg turned into a life-threatening survival story after a 24-year-old man became trapped in a steep, snow-filled gully below Rhino Peak and endured a night of freezing temperatures before being rescued.

The incident began on 3 August 2026, when the experienced hiker reached the summit of Rhino Peak before beginning his descent. Somewhere along the return route, he appears to have left the ridge too early, unknowingly entering a dangerous snow-filled gully above Mashai Pass.

Instead of leading him safely back to the trail, the route left him stranded on a narrow section of the mountain with no safe way out.

A desperate night in below-zero temperatures

According to the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) Search and Rescue team, the hiker repeatedly tried to free himself but was unable to escape the icy terrain.

Although he managed to call for help using his cellphone, he could not accurately describe where he was, making the rescue operation significantly more difficult.

Forced to wait on a small rocky outcrop in sub-zero temperatures, he spent the entire night exposed to harsh winter conditions while rescue teams worked against the clock to locate him.

The southern Drakensberg is known for its unpredictable winter weather, with snow and freezing temperatures capable of transforming familiar hiking routes into hazardous terrain within hours.

Massive overnight search begins

As darkness fell, a large rescue operation was launched from Garden Castle Ranger Station.

The search brought together volunteers from the MCSA Search and Rescue unit, Ezemvelo field rangers and local security companies, who began combing the rugged slopes around Mashai Pass.

Throughout the night, rescuers had only one promising leada faint light spotted high on the southern side of Rhino Peak, believed to be the stranded hiker.

Despite difficult conditions, teams continued searching until additional resources could be deployed at first light.

Helicopter rescue brings dramatic breakthrough

In the early hours of 4 August, authorities approved the use of a helicopter along with specialist rescue personnel trained for technical winter mountain operations.

Two rescuers were flown onto Rhino Peak, where they searched the steep gullies from above while the helicopter conducted an aerial sweep of the surrounding area.

The breakthrough came when rescuers on the ground called out into the mountains and received a response from the stranded hiker.

With his position finally confirmedapproximately 200 metres below the ridgethe helicopter crew was guided directly to him.

To safely complete the extraction, the helicopter crew removed the aircraft door and shed unnecessary weight before the pilot and a single MCSA rescuer carefully lifted the hiker from the mountainside.

Treated for hypothermia and frostbite

After the successful rescue, the hiker was flown back to Garden Castle, where medical personnel treated him for hypothermia and frostbite affecting his toes.

He was later transported to hospital for further medical care.

The operation highlighted both the skill of South Africa’s volunteer mountain rescue teams and the dangers hikers can face during winter in the Drakensberg.

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