India Venster
2-4 hours
India Venster is an exciting route up the face of Table Mountain that is not particularly well known. It is a fun alternative to the more popular Platteklip Gorge because there is some rock scrambling to keep things interesting.
The route starts (there are several viable starting points) along some steps at the lower cable station and basically the path sticks under the cables most of the way up. After about 15-20 minutes the path crosses the contour path and continues up the mountain (don't worry about the big danger sign).
The path is fairly well signposted - follow the little painted markings on the rocks. There are points where hikers will have to scramble up rocks - this is more than you normal hike, but it adds to the excitement. Nothing too crazy - if things are getting out of hand backtrack because you are probably off the route. The views back over the city are great and it can be fun to watch the cable cars passing overhead.
Just under the upper cable station the path passes around behind the mountain (above Camps Bay) and about 10-20 minutes later pops out at the top of Platteklip Gorge, which is the quickest way back down.
The name 'India Venster'
The route pases along an area of Table Mountain known as India Ravine because when viewed frm the bottom it resembles the shape of India. The 'venster' (window in Afrikaans) is a point where the rock has formed a little window through which you can see some great views.
- This route can be dangerous - make sure that you stick to the path (this has been a fatal mistake in the past). Hike with someone who knows the route
- Coming down India Venster can be hairy - prehaps come back via another route. There are plenty of well marked paths on Table Mountain
The easiest starting point for this hike is the lower cable station which is well signposted throughout Cape Town
Fun but can be frightening
I really enjoyed this route up Table Mountain - better than slogging up Platteklip Gorge! But I was surprised how hectic some of the required scrambling was. There is one point where you have to climb up about 3-4 metres of vertical rock. Not very difficult, but certainly more hectic than anything on Platteklip. Well worth it.
I also watched some crazy guys doing one of the traverses (Right Face-Arrow Face I think) which looks insane. Just remember to follow the yellow footprints and blue dots and you'll be fine.
India Venster
India Venster is undoubtedly one of the best walks in the world! BUT it simply cannot be done by anyone who is not accompanied by someone else who knows the route. Whilst this route is not particular difficult (it has a B rating because of the scrambling section, an A rating being the easiest), it is VERY easy to lose one's way and suddenly land up on an F category route. That is why there are relatively so many deaths and injuries on this particular walk. I disagree with the comment in the main article "ignore the dangerous route sign" at the start of the walk. Do not ignore it if you don't know the way.
India Venster not as easy as it may sound!
There have been a number of accidents on India Venster and it should not be attempted unless you are a fit and experienced climber. The rock sections are exposed and high enough for a fall to be fatal as an experiened climber nearly demonstrated last Sunday. She was badly injured and lucky to survive. The route finding is also quite difficult at times and many have been lost or stuck. So be careful, and take the warning sign at the bottom seriously! Remember also to allow enough time to walk down - don't depend on the cable car.
Worth the effort but be careful!
Loved that one. I was lucky enough to hike it during a windy, clear Sunday morning (hardly any people on top until afternoon with the cable car off; what views!!),
and lucky again to have met a local guy who was familiar with the route, which left me just to follow and get in the views.
Also eliminated some stress resulting from missing a proper map. Too bad that detailed hike maps are not available (like for the Plattenklip Gorge route) at the ranger station (to keep the reckless away I figure) I wish I had tried a descent as well (Plattenklip G. was a bit dull even on the way down, even with the girls swarming up).
*Concentration*, some experience, good rock conditions and invulnerability to heights required.
*Watch and memorize* the route (not just the painted marks) in case a backtrack is required (e.g. clouds should set in).
*Always* be prepared to abort and be sure you know your way as well as the way back!
*Never* continue unless positively sure, that you could make it down the same way.
Final part of the route, that Ledge might feel relaxing but actually it isn't. A few places have steep drops hidden behind the fynbos - so again, concentration is the way!
Dangerous ánd deadly
Just wanted to post a news clipping about this route; A Dutch tourist fell to her death on this route yesterday. Be caraful!
Important notes in this story: they were on their way DOWN, which is more dangerous. And in this area 3 others died the last 2 years.
===
Tourist dies in Table Mountain fall
23/03/2009 09:44 - (SA)
Una Cupido, Die Burger
Cape Town - A 29-year-old Dutch woman fell to her death on Table Mountain on Sunday, a day after arriving in the Mother City.
The woman, who was not named, fell about 15m after losing her hand grip on the treacherous India Venster trail. Her friend, in his 30s, also fell but was not seriously hurt.
The route they had taken to the bottom is not recommended for beginners, and has claimed the lives of several hikers in the past.
According to Wilderness Search and Rescue manager Kevin Tromp the woman was already dead when rescue personnel got to her.
An Air Mercy Services helicopter with a climber and a medical doctor on board responded to the scene just after 17:00. According to John Roos of Metro Rescue, the climber applied emergency medical aid to the victim but she did not respond.
"We found her incredibly traumatised friend next to the body," said Tromp.
The pair headed up Platteklip Gorge on Sunday morning. Tromp said they had decided to take the India Venster trail on the way down. Part of the route is very rocky and requires that hikers must climb, Tromp added.
Her friend was brought down to the Kloofnek parking lot by helicopter at about 18:52, where police were waiting. He cried uncontrollably when the helicopter landed with the body at 19:10.
Tromp said three people had lost their lives in that area over the past two years. Four others had been seriously injured. He also added that a notice must be posted about how dangerous the India Venster route is.
- Die Burger
Always take a torch with if
Always take a torch with if you going up Table Mountain, warm clothes, a cell phone with emergency numbers ( http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/phone-numbers.htm) and please take more water than you think you need. If it is a hot day in Cape Town and you going up table mountain. I recommend take a minimum of 3 litres of water with you, rather have too much water than too little water.
Look at what the weather is going to be like as well (http://dev2.weathersa.co.za/Weather.asp) Weather bureau 082162 Mountain Rescue: 021 948 9900 Mountain Club (Cape Town Section) http://cap.mcsa.org.za/
It is wrong to assume the higher a mountain the more dangerous it is. It is the terrain of the mountain and the weather on the mountain that makes it dangerous. Table Mountain is not a hill in the back yard of Cape Town. "Trail and Error by Charles Edelstein."
This letter appeared in the Cape Times:
"Climbing Mount Everest has statistical death rate of about 1.6%. It defies human intelligence to embark on such a risky venture. Collectively, crime, wars and a car accidents aren’t nearly as risky venture.
And yet anyone who forsakes their families and friends to climb Everest is considered a hero and an inspiration to others. This despite the fact that it is made as easy as possible by the Sherpas fixing ropes, ladders and the like, which probably results in less rock-climbing skills being required than ‘hiking’ up India Venster.
I will never attempt Everest and I do not admire anyone who does. A Google search in December provided very little information on the India Venster trail as to the finer details of the route and the dangers and skills required. Two European tourists have died after falling at the scramble section of this trial.
The India Venster trail is the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothes’. Inexperienced tourists doing India Venster are probably no better off than doing Everest in terms of danger, but they don’t know that. And there is the difference.
So why is it so dangerous? The start, at the hub of the lower cableway station, is enticing and seductive, with a beautifully built stone staircase followed by one of the best engineered paths in South Africa. The trail is engineered all the way to the scramble, which is high up. The scramble on India Venster does not appear scary enough to deter people. It amounts to an awkward ascent up stepped slippery ledges.
If it were 10 degrees steeper, with good handholds, it was be safer, but more intimidating and people would avoid it. Matching the real with the apparent danger of doing this ‘climb’ is long overdue. In the meanwhile, a rope ladder has been secured to assist would-be ‘hikers’."
South African Mountain accident database
SA Mountain accident statistics:
http://alewis.its.uct.ac.za/sama/index.html
Safety guidelines from Mountain Club
Safety guidelines from Mountain Club Website:
1.Never hike alone, 4 is an ideal size for a party.
2.Choose the route according to ability, fitness, experience etc. of the party.
3.Tell someone exactly where you are going (up and down routes and expected time of arrival back) and stick to this route and plan.
4.Always go prepared for bad weather and therefore take proper weatherproof clothing even on a sunny day (wind and rain proof); torches - with spare batteries and globes; good footwear - strong boots or shoes with non-slip soles; food; a flask of tea or some other beverage; a rucksack to carry the spare clothing, food etc so as to leave your arms and hands free.
5.Go with somebody who genuinely knows the way, or carry a guidebook, map or description of the route from a person who has done the route.
6.Until you know your way around keep to the straightforward routes on well used paths. Follow the same route down, or one you know well. Heed signs advising of danger and do not take short cuts or go down unknown ravines.
7.Every party should have a leader. The larger the group the greater the need for one.
8.Keep together and travel at the pace of the slowest. Do not split up and go in different directions.
9.Watch the weather and time - turn back in case of threatening bad weather, route taking longer or route no longer easy to follow.
10.On your return tell whoever is expecting you that you are back.
What if it happens to you... You are with someone who is injured on the mountain:
1.Should someone have an accident, keep calm, stay together as a party until things are sorted out and ascertain to the best of your ability exactly what the injuries are and attend to them where possible.
2.Approach if safe.
3.Apply first aid
- Check responsiveness, then ABC:
a. Check Airway
b. Check Breathing
c. Check Circulation and stop bleeding
4.If any possibility of spinal damage (especially neck) - do not move the person unless it is necessary to do so for safety reasons.
5.Do not rush off immediately and report an accident. Fifteen minutes or so spent observing reactions and making the person comfortable is time well spent. It happens quite often that even if someone is knocked out temporarily they may not be seriously injured and after a rest are able to walk down.
6.Leave someone with the patient if possible, it is imperative that they remain with them until the rescuers arrive.
7.Go for help - do not run if it is unsafe: you are no help if you do not make it to a phone! For safety it is preferable to send two persons for help.
8.On their way down they should identify landmarks so that they are able to describe the exact location of the accident or to guide a rescue party to the scene.
9.Accidents should be reported to the nearest South African Police station or relevant authority responsible for the area in which the accident occurred.
For assistance in emergencies phone 10177. Give:
- Your phone number
- Where you are o where the accident occurred
- What happened o the nature of the injuries
10. Stay at the phone! The mountain rescue leader will contact you for further details. If necessary, send someone else back to help.
11. Remain available for questioning by the rescue leader so as to be able to give full details of the accident - where, when, how and what.
You become lost or trapped while in the mountains:
1. Don't panic. If you told someone where you were going and when you were returning, a rescue team will come looking for you.
2. If you get lost or find yourself in an area that looks unsafe retrace your steps - do not push on into the unknown.
3. If you cannot find the path you left look for a safe route - preferably down broad open slopes - making sure that at all times you can retrace your steps.
4. If trapped seek shelter. It is important to get out of the wind, but don't hide yourself so well that you become impossible to find.
5. Do not descend an unknown ravine. A cliff or waterfall may be hard to spot in dim light or rain.
Someone does not return from a hike/climb:
1. Phone 10177 or 10111
2. Report the incident as being mountain related. State your name and phone number.
3. Stay at the phone. Someone will contact you for further details
4. Depending on the nature of the incident, a rescue operation may be started immediately or the rescue leader may decide to postpone until first light, improved weather etc"
India Venster Trail
I was lucky to get one of the few maps of TM hiking trails (1st Edition of 1993, there is probably no 2nd) with me in 2005 for the India Venster trail. Including some short climbs the trail is ambitious but not hazardous. What you really need is a sense for your own condition. The trail is much more rewarding as the step track of Platteklip Gorge which should be taken for the way down. With some time left you can move over to Devils Peak. That trail is quite easy and no crowds to expect (when I did it I was the only person).
India Venster: The most difficult part is when you have to change direction to turn right below the upper cable station. Difficult in the way that there were no signs (in 2005) so you may feel challenged to climb further up.
'Information that may be
'Information that may be rquired by a rescue team:' By Garth Hattingh'
1.Nature of incident(eg; injury, illness)
2. Cause of injury(eg. fall)
3. Exact location(use more than one description) GPS Position Map coordinates Distance and direction from identifialbe feature Description of topography
4.Number of patients
5. Name and aage of each patient
6. Medical condition of each patient Vital signs Injuries Treatment applied
7. Local weather conditions
8. Local access diffficulties(e.g. patient is on a cliff face)
9. Site of helicopter landing zone
10. Number of uninjured members of the group
11. Group equipment Shelter Food Medical supplies
12. Signalling methos
13. Medical expertise in group'
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