Other than that the drive was rather uneventful, with the mandatory progressively increasingly dodgy conversation. Yes, I chose a shit lunch spot, but my decision was badly effected by 1994 pop music, yes That’s right Monster hits 2. We pulled into a little campsite in Koimoes on a wine farm, where I offered to sell one off the staff members’ wine. My Afrikaans is not so hot apparently, Glen’s is. Reading this you are you may realise that my English ain’t good either.
We left early for the putin, and got there with sufficient time to squeeze in the drive round before nightfall. Chevonne managed to spin her car out on one of the corners during the drive, thankfully nothing was damaged too badly and the drive could go on. Back at the put in we packed the mountain of stuff into the six crocs and one kayak. Chris, Nick, Don, Glen and myself headed up a mountain to take in the landscape, putting shoes on fist would have been a good idea as I cut my foot nicely…. It’s still infected…. I might have to have my foot cut off.
Typical scenery on this part of the Orange
We paddled a couple of km’s before setting up camp in a nice little spot. I somehow managed to get hammered off very little whiskey and the rest of the night was a bit of a blur. I passed out in Dave’s bivvy with a croc over my head to cast a shadow over the bright full moon.
Mondays paddle is the most challenging in terms of navigations, the river is widely channel and one must avoid a going left into a serious gorge, which, at high level could kill you and this level make your day rather unpleasant. Somehow we managed to not go right enough, requiring a portage over a small island to get into the correct channel. It is a bit of a long slog from here to the “rapids” but everyone made it. The water was too low to make life very exciting at little falls. It was a bit of a scrape to get down.
Scouting the channels
We got lot Richie falls latish of a long days paddle, and brought out the best lunch ever. Random-can-day, which, was embraced well… thankfully. What Chris did was buy whole bunch of random cans, then take the labels off. The cans included; tinned meat balls, brussel sprouts, jam, treat, green beans, curry to name but a few. The second can of meat chunks did go down too well, wander what it really was?
Relaxing around the one of Glen's fires
That evening we all drank and Don entertained us with the most amazing party trip I have ever seen. Hopefully he will do it again sometime
To get the boats and gear down to the water requires a bit of a scramble and the lowering of the some gear. I set up a b-lay and lowered the boats. We paddled up the gorge a little to see the falls, even with little water they are still impressive. I would love to come to this section with a full river.
Looking up the gorge
The biggest rapid on the section followed shortly, big bunny, which I suppose live up to it’s name. At this level is quite bony and getting the crocs down was a bit of a mission. Next up in Dolly Parton, not difficult at all but not particularly pleasant. There is a poorly placed rock to get a croc stuck on, which wouldn’t be too bad if it wasn’t for the massive siphon down the left. Most made it okay, except for Don. Don got it a little too sideways and began to wrap. I was in the eddy behind them and got Luke to clamber onto the rock and push Don and the boat off this “Backward sideways wrap” he did however do such and efficient job of getting Don off the rock that he forgot to get back in the boat. Luke now stranded on the rock was looking a little puzzled as to how he was going to get back to Don. I reassured him, since he was looking very river man, that he should just stay on the rock and be safety guy. Luke embraced this job and gently pushed the remaining boats off the rock thus avoiding them the same fate. He once again however forgot to jump on the last boat, leaving him high and dry in the middle of the river. I told him to jump into the river and swim for it, which he did and hastily ordered Chris to give him a buddy rescue. A move he was supper keen on ever since Dave has shown it in the safety talk.
The rest of the river is largely flat, so be paddled on slowly. I got out the kayak and into the barge and plodded the heavy ass boat down the river. We camped early and made some fantastic food.
Coldest campsite in the world
The next day was a long one, as I wanted to make distance. The reason why it ended up being so long was down to the lack of campsites. We started looking for one at 4pm and only found one well after 5. The one campsite we did find, which looked amazing from far away turned out to be “Super Rock City”. Not a single bit of flat land, with senses of humour starting to fail Nick found a nice spot on a island in the middle of the river.
The forth day on the river was short and we paddled to till be found and nice campsite. Much of the ground was made thanks to the strong tail wind, I erected Chris’ tarp as a sail. All of a sudden the slow barge was transformed into a speed machine, well kind of. Later all the boats joined, we made a large sail and covered the large expanse of what water with ease.
We made camp and a few of headed up the closest mountain, at first sat there and drank, then someone threw a stone. It was like a switch was turned on, as all hell broke loose. I think that particular bit of mountain is a lot lower than when we started.
The last day on the river was short and sweet, we made it to the take out easily this time. Nick and I were determine to find the bergie toilet we has stumbled on last trip. With the aid of the GPS and some keen navigation we found it, what a find.
We packed up and headed off, hoping to stay at Augrabies falls, however it was full. Chris had spotted a backpackers some distance back and we headed off to Kalahari adventure centre, this was to be the scene of much debortury. I was being grumpy tired guy so you’ll have to get the full account of what happened from someone else.
Craziness about to start
We headed to Augrabies the next morning for breakfast and to check on the falls. Dave, Chris, Kerry, Sarah and I headed off to find Neus falls. We found it after getting lost in a maze of irrigation channels. Neus is an awesome place, and I’m sure with more water would could be an awesome time. With the low level and only one boat it wasn’t really much of and option. There was one nice line and a really dodgy drop, which would hurt a lot if you got it wrong. We gave it a miss but I will be back one day when there is more water.
Main drop at Neus falls
We headed off stopped just outside Upington for and overnight stop and a braai, then headed off home.
What a great trip, thanks to everyone who came and helped out.
Sweet
Neil
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