A solo hike in the southern Drakensberg turned into a fight for survival when a Johannesburg man became lost and was forced to endure icy temperatures. 

A week after the ordeal, Hussain Kotwal (24) is now advising others to avoid tackling hiking trails alone. 

The IT auditor from Auckland Park checked into Lake Naverone, a Southern Drakensberg retreat, on July 30 for a five-night stay. 

“This was a trip that I did by myself. I arrived at Lake Naverone in the afternoon and got settled in. The next day, while looking at brochures of activities in the area, I read about the hike to Rhino Peak. The scenery and views looked stunning, and this caught my attention and lured me in,” explains Kotwal. 

The hike 

Rhino Peak is situated in the Garden Castle Nature Reserve, which is a short drive from Lake Naverone. 

Kotwal left for the hike on Monday (August 3) at 06:30 after notifying the resort manager. 

“There were no dangers or issues going up the ascent. I walked through snow and the terrain was manageable. By 12:30, I had summited. I contacted the resort to let them know I was fine and doing well.” 

He describes the views as ‘breathtaking’. 

Multiple exit paths 

After spending some time taking in the views, Kotwal was ready to begin the descent. However, as he prepared to leave, he realised there were multiple exit paths. 

“I took the first path. After walking for a bit, I realised I had taken the wrong one. I decided to backtrack and go back to the mountain. I could not see my initial footprints from when I had ascended, so I took the next path that looked feasible,” says Kotwal.  

However, he soon realised the terrain was not stable.  

“The snow had covered the path, so I could not see the terrain. At this point, it was around 14:30 and I realised I was in trouble.” 

Cold and fatigued 

Kotwal called the manager and was able to provide his location before his phone battery died. 
 
With no working phone and temperatures dropping, Kotwal realised he might have to spend the night on the mountain. 

“I was cold and fatigued. I was not sure if a rescue team would be able to get to me. A part of me did not want to spend the night, but I knew it could be a possibility. I was lucky that I packed enough snacks and water, and I had a blanket,” he says.  
 
As night fell, it became colder. 

“My body and legs were warm but my feet were extremely cold. I removed my socks and placed them inside my jacket against my chest to get them warm, and I placed my feet inside my bag. Being a religious man, it was prayer that helped me get through the night and kept me alive.” 

At around 03:30, Kotwal says he saw torches far in the distance and knew a search was underway.  

“By 09:30, I was rescued by helicopter. I was frozen. I remember tying the laces of my frozen shoes to throw around my shoulders and taking the hand of my rescuers. Looking back, my position was absurd; to have survived considering all the snow, lack of sun and space to rest.” 

He is also amazed at the ‘deftness of the pilot’, who hovered close enough to the ground to allow Kotwal to board. 

Frostbite 

Kotwal was transported to hospital and treated for frostbite, hypothermia and body pains. 

He said he was feeling much better and was grateful to everyone involved in his rescue, who began searching for him after he called the manager and continued until they found him the following morning. 
 
Going forward, Kotwal says he will no longer hike alone and advises others to do the same. 

Rescue teams 

Berg Protection Services, the Mountain Rescue Club, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Underberg Emergency Medical Services worked together during the rescue operation. 

Theuns van Aardt, the GM of Berg Protection Services, said they searched overnight and found Kotwal beneath Rhino Peak. 

“For a while, it was touch and go for the hiker as temperatures dropped to – 6°C and below. In the Berg, the weather can change at any point, and to hike alone is dangerous as there is no help at hand. It was a remarkable rescue made possible through teamwork and determination.”  

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