A reality check in the Fish River Canyon - a Photo Journey

Ai-Ais: "Place of Burning Water" in the local Nama language.

Very Soothing water on the legs it was rather than Burning water. At the end of 5 days of walking and 90kms we were looking forward to relax in the "burning water" for recovery. Yes we were glad it was over. 5 days doesn't sound like much, but for someone who likes water and mountains, 5 days in the desert is more than enough.

At the Southern tip of Namibia, lies the largest canyon in Africa. It is also the second largest in the world, only second to the Grand Canyon. The Hiking trail starts at Hobas and end at Ai-Ais. Trail runners use the canyon to stake their claim in the desert. The first sub 24h completion of the 90km trail was done in 1990. Currently the record stands at 6h39min. But we weren't there for any record attempts! In awe off the trail runners averaging insane speeds over very daunting terrain, we set off with hiking packs. Figuring that from Hobas to Ai-Ais is all the way downhill, we loaded up for a "Hotel Hike". How wrong we were!!

Day 1 we set off with wonderful thought's of seeing the famous wild horses.

During the steep descent the reality soon set in. It is bone jarring dry. The river has pools of water but the lack of vegetation inside the canyon is plainly visible. Late afternoon we settled in for the night, coffee was the order of the day. The next morning we set off on the sandy journey further down the belly of the canyon. Finding Sharks along the way, we eventually reached a reminder of some crazy people in years gone past.

coffee! :)

Sand or Rocks? Pick one

Ancient Sharks in Stone

Crazy People and Scooters

Vidi's Final Resting Place

In 1968 6 friends of the Cape Town Vespa club set out with 3 Restored Vespa Scooters named Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I Saw, I Conquered). Veni got destroyed at the start when a rope snapped while lowering her down. Day 7 of the expedition saw the raft carrying Vici capsize. Vidi's engine got destroyed on Day 8 by fine sand. With their 8 Day permit expired, the team climb out at Palm Springs. Leaving Vidi 6km down the trail as a reminder to dream big.

A Geologist's dream.


Hotel Hiking.

Nature's 3D Printing.

Racking up the kilometers on easy terrain

40km done.

The Lonely Grave.

Grave of Lutant Thilo von Trotha, shot during peace talks by one of the local Nama soldiers.

Nothingness as far as you can see.

Scooters, lonely graves.. seems like the desert makes you crazy.

What a place to have had the privilege to be able to hike through. Still washing sand out of all the crevasses, but cant wait for the next adventure! Hope you enjoyed the sneak peak. If you are a "desert" type hiker, you will enjoy the fish river canyon.

As a coffee addict, I am leaving you with this: