Otter Trail - Day 4
- Likhabiso Kaibe
- Jul 22, 2022
- 4 min read
Ding ding ding…the day we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived!
We had a quick caucus the night before by the common area planning for the day. Mark (my helpful neighbour) advised us against leaving at 03:30am citing safety reasons and I’m glad we listened.
We left the hut at 06:30am with our headlamps on. Early into the walk, here we are contending with a sharp ascend winding between the forest and coastline. I am dripping with sweat.
The path is rocky and slippery, we would have injured ourselves had we left at our time. Along the route are beautiful boulders, rock pools and waterfalls. It’s another scenic walk.
Day 4 is considered the most difficult of the days because of the long distance and the mighty infamous Bloukrans ahead of us. We are set to clock a double digit for the first time on the trail - it is an estimated 13.8km.
With the dangerous river ahead, it is imperative to cross the river at low tide. Our tide calendar highlights low tide at 10:55am. The window period is either an hour before or after 10:55am, so our latest crossing time was 11:55am.
For the first time in my life, I learn that the sea makes foam. it was a fascinating experience After many rock climbing and hopping of rocks we reach a pseudo end. The foam has hidden and closed the path and we are hopping from one rock to the other trying to find our way through which Is covered by the foam. We eventually manage to navigate our way out of the trap and continue with our journey.
We mastered rock climbing, took pictures and videos. We were impressed with our fitness levels stretching and bending and pulling. It was fun and having a pleasant company made it much easier.
I don’t even remember us taking a break. We continued our path still appreciating the beauty yet cognisant of the time to reach Bloukrans. It is a good 10km that we walked. The kilometre markings were not too out today. My watch gave in at 11.39kms shortly before the Bloukrans crossing so I don’t have a collection of the total kms for this day.
It’s again a long walk to freedom along the beach and through a coastal forest until you reach the final final final ascend to our hut. From the Bloukrans board you can see the tiny two huts waiting for us. It’s a long descent to the river, staircase after staircase and whilst finding my way down…I really got down. I fell, luckily on my bum, and felt cushioned. I quickly pick myself up. Haps is worried knowing my knee and feet issues but I’m good. I think I fell out of excitement.
We pick up signal. Impressed with the views and reaching Bloukrans on time, I make a quick video group call to my sisters bragging of the views. Ino is right ahead of us wanting to see herself across, she unfortunately is not picking up signal and instead takes a video of the surroundings. Haps calls Hubby for that good luck virtual kiss. It was a beautiful moment for all of us.
We are on time, it is just before 12 noon, we cross nicely, even managed to squeeze a dance move because Bloukrans behaved and honoured us – or so we thought. We rested on the boulders across, took out a snack reflecting on the day and the easy cross. Whilst reminiscing, Mark appears out of nowhere actioning us to pack up so we can cross safely. What crossing when we’ve finished the cross. Unbeknown to us, we crossed on the wrong side and there was no path for us to continue. We were ill prepared for this serious river crossing.
Plainly, crossing Bloukrans was mean. We forgot about everything, the rope, the acqua shoes, the survival back, I mean everything, rushing to cross. I learned about the graciousness of Mark, Johan and us working together. Mark's face went red, he changed completely and was furious and calling us out to cross. Haps would not even take off her boots she crossed with them.
Waves pushed in strongly, the powerful current close to the rugged rocks came with a heavy angry splash and covered me with water. I just stood there frozen. Mark pulled me. Johan helped the other guys. In this chaos no one even thought of taking a video of this movie happening right in front of us.
We all soaked in water up to our chest. My phone was immersed in water and I regret boasting to Haps that it was waterproof - it had stopped working and only blinking green and red waves. I'm glad we had a moment of laughter after the ordeal. We witnessed the danger of Bloukrans.
We spot Mandisa and Aya up on the hill negotiating whether to cross or take the escape route. We decided not to rest but continue with the walk to reach the hut which was few metres away.
The “few metres away” took us about an hour to Andre hut. It felt like the longest walk ever by the beach. We picked up some stones and shells along what seemed like a never-ending stroll. The huts are hidden and far apart from each other. We take the one close to Day5’s start.
Going to the loo is another hike from our hut with a climb, but the views whilst paying the “municipal rates” are beautiful. I mean you are sitting doing your thing and there is this wide window facing the sea. You have a full view of the sea with its splashes you’d think you are in a private cabin on a ship cruise.
Yesterday was old brown sherry day. Today is celebration day. We survived the worse. We treat ourselves to smoked salmon and wine (we bought at the airport). Mission accomplished - Bloukrans was conquered!
We understand tomorrow is a walk in the park.
Likha~Biso🦦🫶🏽
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