MUST READ: Greymont boy survives 22 hours alone in the Magaliesberg Mountains

A 12-year-old boy Scout from Greymont did the nearly impossible – he survived almost 24 hours alone in one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Magaliesberg Mountains.

According to his family, his life-threatening hike started at 1pm on Saturday, 15 October when he got lost in the Mountain Sanctuary Park, on a Scout camp.

The Grade 7 My Tutor and Learning Centre pupil stumbled along the rough, unforgiving terrain throughout the night, barefoot and dressed only in swimming trunks, barely resting or drinking water. The boy is said to have endured a hail storm, fallen down a gorge and faced wild animals.

On how he managed to keep on walking, Tristan said he simply wanted to see his mother, Anita Smyth again.

“I kept trying to follow the moon, but as I walked, more rain drops fell… As it got darker, I heard what sounded like voices and ran towards them. It was the baboons.”

The young boy, who has always wanted to be a Springbok Scout, said he had never felt so alone as he did during those long hours in the dark. “I kept thinking I should follow the river, follow the light, follow the sun and eventually there will be buildings and roads and people and I could call home,” Tristan recalled.

“I got scared thinking they would not find me, I did stop and got emotional, but then I just kept on going.”

The frantic rescue attempts to find Tristan had just started to feel futile – but then, just after 11am on Sunday morning, he called his mother from a farm near Buffelspoort Dam. He said he had eventually reached a fence, followed it and found the house where he was taken in, bathed and fed.

Rescue workers, who had been searching for the boy for hours, said they had never seen a 12-year-old do what he did to survive.

An Off Road Rescue duty officer said rescuers were visibly relieved when they found Tristan. He said the 12-year-old was dehydrated and traumatised.

“Many adults would battle in that situation,” he said.

Various rescue units, like Mountain Search and Rescue, police K9 and air-wing units, local farmers and many more helped search for Tristan.

Surviving the ordeal, Tristan said he found water to wash the blood off his wounds and he kept warm by using his own urine and sticking leaves to his body.

Meeting the Smyth family of four showed just how close-knit they are. Tristan’s older ­­brother, 17-year-old Quintin, said since the incident they have formed an even closer bond. “But we’ll see how long it takes before the first fight,” Anita laughed. She agreed that the family has become even closer following the terrifying ordeal.­­­­­

The Smyth family will receive counselling at the Parkview Police Station. They said camping trips are still an option, but only if they stick together.

Anita said the entire family is having trouble sleeping, with Tristan suffering from nightmares in his short naps.

“He can’t seem to sleep for longer than an hour-and-a-half,” she said.

Anita thanked the entire rescue team for their efforts; and she said she is especially grateful to the family that took Tristan in.

Reflecting on his decisions, Tristan said he would not handle the situation any differently than he did.

He will, however, not continue scouting, just yet.