Normally it does not look this green, but the rains of April have turned this arid land into a green landscape with many plants in bloom.
This is my 3rd time down in the oldest canyon in the world, and this the first time I've seen it so green. It has been a spectacle.
#FishRiverCanyon #wanderlust #footpathfriday #hiking #Namibia
Viervingerrots ("Four Finger Rock") usually seen around day 4 when hiking down the Fish River Canyon.
It is possible to camp just before this at a set of two pools of which one is known as Barbel Pools. (And yes, it does contain barbels).
From here one can follow the river around a long bend, but most people opt for a shortcut to the right of this rock formation.
#MountainMonday #wanderlust #hiking #FishRiverCanyon #Namibia
It's been a week since I finished my first First River Canyon hike of '26. How does one describe it in just four photos?
This is the greenest I have ever seen it, especially since the very dry '24 hike. There has been a lot of rain in April, causing the season to open late. Somebody said we crossed the river 24 times. I didn't count, but I probably had to remove my shoes about six times, where I could not dance across the rocks.
There was a lot of water available and no need to filter. Day temperatures were around 31-33⁰C at midday. One say I measured 37, but I think the sun shone directly of my measuring device. I did however consume between 2.5-3lt every day during walking hours.
Sleeping on the sand in the open was a treat as usual. You open your eyes at night and you stare at all of the stars.
This is the most enjoyable hike in the FRC for me to date. Whether it was hopping over boulders, tracking fast over flat terrain or climing dry short cuts in the heat of the day, every moment was enjoyable.
What wasn't to be enjoyed was finishing. Coyld really stayed more nights, but this is how it goes.
In a month's time I plan to be back again. This is no longer a bucket list item, but rather a spiritual journey of being connected to nature and the ancient geological history that lies with the oldest canyon in the world.
Electronic I am taking on my next multi-day hikes:
- Mobile phone. I keep it in a pocket in my Forclaz trousers.
- Garman Fenix 6 smartwatch.
- Petzl Swift headlamp. I prefer the stronger beams that this offers as I use for walking in the dark and not just for camp cooking.
- Iniu powerbank. 20Ah. I am not taking my older Anker power bank as the Iniu has the capability of both usb-c and usb-a power out.
- usb-c to usb-c charge cable.
- usb-a to usb-c charge cable.
- usb-c to micro-usb adaptor (for charging headlamp).
- usb-c to garmin adaptor (for charging watch).
- 4lt Ultra-sil drybag from Sea to Summit for keeping everything together. This bag goes in the backpack as I don't normally need it in the day.
Not included in this list are camera equipment, spare batteries and chargers for cameras.
This time around I have cut some grams off the base weight by using shorter cables and then the adaptors instead of extra cables.
#FishRiverCanyon #drakensberg #southaftica #namibia #whatsinyourpack #hiking
Backpack and some miscellaneous items for the Fish River Canyon hike.
The backpack is the 46lt version from LiteAF (https://liteaf.com/product/ecopak-eplx-46l-curve-full-suspension/). I am taking the optional hip belts pockets (https://liteaf.com/product/hip-belt-pouch/) as well as the hip pack (https://liteaf.com/product/fanny-pack/).
I have found a way to either strap the hip bag into the hip belt, or alternative to carry it on top of the back pack. The hip pack is primarily for camera equipment. If I decide not to take any action camera, it will stay behind.
I have also added a stretchy water bottle pouch from Hilltop Packs (https://hilltoppacks.com/collections/accessory-pouches/products/custom-stretchy-water-bottle-sleeve-holder-pouch) as the one from LIteAF does not suit my needs.
Some additional items:
- Sea To Summit Trash bag (https://seatosummit.eu/products/trash-dry-sack-past-season). It keeps all the trash safely contained and the smells out of the backpack. THis is the older model and there is a newer model available.
- LiteAF Hiker Wallet (https://liteaf.com/product/small-zipper-pouch-hiker-wallet/). I'll have some cash and a credit card in there, because when one finishes the hike, it will pay for food, drinks and the warm water pools.
- Hilltop Packs Zipper Puch (https://hilltoppacks.com/products/zipper-pouches?variant=43560830632193) - This keeps my passport and all relevant documentation. The hiker wallet also goes inside.
- Cébé Sunglasses - I use photochromatic 0-3 so that I can ever wear it in low-light conditions. The latter is useful when one might encounter brush, branches or insects.
- Nooz Optics reading glasses (https://www.nooz-optics.com/en-us/collections/reading/original) - I have found these to be the most dependable and lightweight for backcountry usage. They go in a hipbelt pocket for quick access.
- Kimbefeel Milos sandals - The best weight-to-comfort sandals I've come across. Thicker than Xero, but lighter. Unfortunately they are discontinued.
- Leki Traveller Alu telescopic poles (https://www.leki.co.uk/item/813/Leki/Leki-Traveller-Alu-Blacksilver-Greyneon-Yellow.html) - Although slightly heavier, I prefer the aluminium version over carbon as I use these as my tent poles too. Even though I am not using a tent for this hike, I need it for other hikes on this travel, so these are the set of poles of choice.
#fishrivercanyon #hiking #whatsinyourpack #namibia #liteaf #noozoptics #cebe #leki #kimberfeel #seatosummit #hilltoppacks
Sleep time in the Fish River Canyon will be simple again: two groundsheets and no tent. This time around I opted for a tyvek sheet and a polycro sheet. I found the ground sheets that I used the previous time were too narrow.
The plan is to sleep on the more sturdy tyvek sheet and unpack my gear on the polycro sheet. In the unlikely scenario of rain at night, I'll simply sleep underneath the polycro sheet as it is wider that the tyvek sheet.
I have modified the tyvek sheet with some metal grommets. I'll put some lightweight cord in there in case I want to peg it down. Not sure about doing the same to the polycro sheet - thst material is a bit flimsy.
#whatsinyourpack #tyvek #groundsheet #camping #hiking #fishrivercanyon #namibia
For the Fish River Canyon and Drakensberg trip I have my cooking setup settled and there are some luxury items.
- I am taking a Fozzils Snapbowl for when I need a bowl. Doubles as a cutting board. (https://www.fozzils.com/product-page/snapfold-bowlz). It fits nicely into the back stretch pocket of the backpack.
- A long handle spork.
- A Victorinox Soldier's knife. It has all the necessary utilities for emergencies. The made blade is serrated and sharp. I have used it in the past to even cut open tins. (https://www.amazon.es/-/en/Victorinox-Schweizer-Soldatenmesser-Functions-Including/dp/B002RWXZ7E)
- A spreading knife, because it works better than the pocket knife's big blade. It is my one luxury item.
- All the cutlery items go into a small Hilltop tent stake bag. I purposely bought the one with the meat print. (https://hilltoppacks.com/products/tent-stake-stuff-sacks-funny-prints?variant=38878721867961)
- MSR Pocket Rocket DLX. Slightly heavier than some other compact stoves, but it burns more efficiently, has a regulator and a piezo igniter. (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/pocketrocket-deluxe-stove).
- Lightload Towel as a dish cloth. It is super lightweight, recycable and lasts for many days. (https://www.litesmith.com/lightload-towels/).
- MSR Titan 900ml kettle. (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/titan-kettle-900ml)
- MSR Titan Double Wall mug 375 ml. It fits inside the kettle. (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/titan-double-wall-mug).
- All the cookware goes inside a Hilltop stuff sack, including one gas canister. (https://hilltoppacks.com/products/stuff-sacks-w-custom-printing-challenge-d50t-fabric?variant=45960307114241)
- I have one large food bag from Hilltop (https://hilltoppacks.com/collections/food-bags-bear-bags/products/food-bags-w-custom-printing-challenge-d50t-fabric-bear-bag-5) as well as 2nd snack bag. At this point I might take another Hilltop bag instead of the Sea to Summit drybag for the latter purpose.
- As these hikes are in Southern Africa, a common practice is to eat rusks with morning coffee / tea. I keep these in a plastic container to prevent them from becoming crumbs.
- My second luxury item is a Platypus 800ml wine bag, because we like to sip some red wine in the evening. When it is empty it rolls up really small (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/platy-preserve).
This whole setup is < 900g.
I did not include a emergency matches or a lighter in this list as that will go into the emergency and first aid bag.
#whatsinyourpack #hiking #cooking #traillfood #fishrivercanyon #drakensberg #namibia #southafrica #msrgear #hilltoppacks #platypus #victorinox #fozzils
What people take for toiletries is a very personal choice. For me for overnight hikes my toiletries remain consistent.
- Small drybag where most of things go. After various options in the past, I have now settled for one from Hilltop Packs - https://hilltoppacks.com/products/ditty-bags-printed-dry-bags-challenge-d50t-fabric-11?variant=46398823629057.
- A very small Sea to Summit Airlite towel. https://seatosummit.eu/en-nl/products/airlite-towel (I only use this on trail, as I have left two behind in the shower after the trail. There are small after all and easy to miss).
- Sunscreen
- Nail clippers
- Tooth brush.
- Dental brush tablets. Much better than toot paste. They don't make a mess and I can take exactly the amount I need.
- Interdental brush. For me a better solution than floss, as I do not have perfect teeth. I normally carry this in a hip belt pocket as I might need it during the day,
- Mirror, it is just useful for many things. like putting sunscreen on your face.
- Lip balm. Not something I always use, bu it does come in handy on hot, sunny days. I also carry this in a hip belt pocket,
There is noticeable absence of deodorant, soap and shampoo. I am in the "embrace the smell" camp when on trail and I don't like to introduce day-hiker fragrances. If it is going to be a very long hike, then I'll bring something, but for <7 days I don't. (There is always water and a wet wipe from the hygiene bag).
But there are a couple of things I do leave in the car for cleaning up after the trail - soap, shampoo, deodorant and a bigger towel.
#toiletries #hiking #whatsinyourpack #fishrivercanyon #drakensberg #pyrenees
Clothes that I intend to take for the Fish River Canyon this year. The focus is to deal with the heat and sun in the day, but also stay warm at night as this is a desert environment. As we normally start to walk as soon as one can see ones feet, it might still be cool, so a layering system is appropriate.
I have found the Forclaz MT500 zippable trousers (https://www.decathlon.es/es/p/pantalon-desmontable-de-montana-y-trekking-hombre-forclaz-mt500/351289/c383c1m8853742) to be really dependent and good value for money. I can make a decision to keep the bottoms on for protect against the sun, or zip them off for when it is really hot. I really like the four pockets and their positioning on these trousers. Both bottom pockets are large to hold a mobile phone.
I wear my sun hoodie (https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/mens-alpenglow-pro-hoody) the whole day. When it is cooler, it functions as a baselayer below the T-shirt (https://crazy.it/an/en/prodotto/s25095114u-00/), otherwise It is the only thing I wear as a top.
I have two UPF50+ buffs. One goes on the left wrist over the watch. It serves as way to wipe sweat off. The other buff I normally wear as a hat. I have found normal hats to be too sweaty, but the high UPF buff to be highly effective. In the FRC the sun hardly comes from the front - normally from the back and on the sides.
I only wear Under Armour underpants (https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/ua_performance_tech_mens_6_3-pack_boxerjock/1383878.html?dwvar_1383878_color=200). I also use them as swimming trunks. I have found that one can wear them for days without a smell. They also dry very quickly.
For the evening I can decide to optionally take two baselayers to sleep in, although in the past I have sometimes slept in my hiking clothes. Maybe not the best practice, but that is what the sleeping bag liner is for.
I also take a beanie (https://crazy.it/an/en/prodotto/w25125050x-00/) and a puffy for the nights. Since I can only take one puffy for my travels, I have to go for a higher spec one and I have selected one the Simond Duvet (https://www.decathlon.es/es/p/plumifero-de-montana-y-alpinismo-con-capucha-hombre-simond-duvet/347966/c364c81m8809333).
I pack some light golves from Forclaz (https://www.decathlon.es/es/p/guantes-termicos-de-montana-y-trekking-tactiles-adulto-forclaz-mt500/335330/c364c382m8655827). The puffy has its own built-in stuff bag, but after stuffing it, it still needs to be in the drybag for protect it against moisture.
Finally all the clothes go into a drybag. I have custom printed version.(https://hilltoppacks.com/collections/dry-bags/products/dry-bags-w-custom-printing-challenge-d50t-fabric-1)
Schalk Cronjé