RI7ER JOURNAL POSTS

Our final day in the Gorge started with a hike up Droeval Channel. This ancient, northern arm of the falls is little known.

An hour and a half and we emerged into Paradise. A football field sized pool nestled in an amphitheatre of rock. Baboons barked at us, Klipspringers skidded and hopped over impossibel terrain. Fish Eagles and Black Eagles drifted and circled lazily above us on the morning thermals.

We laughed joyously at our find. I had started walking up this channel earlier this year, but turned back for some forgotten reason. To have left this gem for this trip was an absolute highlight for us.

The pool sits at the bottom of a 20-30m rock slide tucked away in its own privacy. I believe very few people have been here before.

A quick walk back to the boats got us on water to paddle the last 2 rapids. Relatively easy fun ones with monster barbel(catfish) entertaining us as they squirmed and wiggled over each other at the base of the rapids.

A 2 and half hour paddle with a stop for lunch whilst the goats mowed the grass as they travelled past.

Craig met us at the Blouputs bridge with Quarts of ice cold beer, which we washed down with stories and adventures of our mission. A quick load, and then back to Craigs and Charmaines house where we lit up the braai and forced about 6 lamb chops and a section of boerewors down Scotts throat before i took him to Kakamas to catch his bus back to Cape Town.

I returned and joined the crew and ate some more meat, drank a few icy beverages.

High on life, Ine and I passed out into the wonderful world of sleep.

By Rob Wilson