THE WESTERN CAPE's HELIHACKERS

Every so often, a group of courageous mountain climbers are helicoptered into the highest reaches of the Western Cape mountains to remove alien invaders

- ALECK MCKIRDY

Equipment and personnel, hanging from a strop (or cable) beneath one of MCC Aviation’s Bell 407 helicopters are transported remote wilderness areas by highly skilled pilots. The helicopter is in constant attendance to support and, if necessary, to transport the teams to new locations. The team that works under tough and often hazardous conditions is made up of skilled volunteers who can handle chainsaws, rope-access and other high-angle techniques. Some are mountain and rock climbers affiliated to the Cape Town branch of the Mountain Club of South Africa. Many have been involved in challenging mountain top rescues.

“This is probably one of the most high-risk operations you can find involving helicopters. It is more expensive, dangerous and challenging than other approaches to eradicating invasive alien vegetation but it is the most efficient,” says Helihackers founder, Aleck McKirdy, who was awarded honorary lifelong membership of the Mountain Club of South Africa in 2019 for his contribution to rock climbing, search and rescue, property maintenance, fire protection and plant conservation. His intrepid team of Helihackers took to the skies at least six times during 2021 to remove alien invasive vegetation from sensitive water courses at high altitudes and in locations where they are probably the first humans to have visited. He has already completed 15 of these expeditions in which donors have invested close to R5-million.