Fish River Canyon Hike (part 1)

(click on any photo to enlarge)

“On my way.” The text came in at 5:37am. I had packed all my minimalist supplies into one large pack last night so I could salvage every moment of sleep this early morning. The red sun only peeked over the distant mountains on the horizon as we were already halfway to Rehoboth. We were on our way to pick up eight 11th grade boys from Rehoboth High School who for the next 8 days would participate in a Wilderness Therapy Hike through the Fish River Canyon.

The program was started by a high school psychologist who realized that boys were virtually impossible to reach while sitting across a desk in a counseling session. So she decided to combine two of her loves, hiking and counseling. Five times a year she and three other facilitators take 8 high school students out into the wilderness where they are guided through experiential learning and various therapy activities. Standing in the lobby of Rehoboth High School, I met our 8 travelling companions for the first time. They looked young and unsure whether to be excited or nervous.

The drive to our base camp near the canyon took about five hours, with only one minor hangup getting stuck in the sand. We quickly unloaded all our camping gear and the boys began filling their packs. By the time we finished our introductory talk setting up their expectations the sun had set and it was time to start the fire for our evening braai.

Each evening after dinner we would all gather together for sharing sessions. This first night we began simply rating the day and asking a few basic questions to get them used to sharing with the group. Then we turned in and had our last sleep on a mattress for the next week.

Day One

The morning started at the literal crack of dawn, as soon as the horizon started to get light. After breakfast we drove about an hour from the base camp to the trail head where we were dropped off and would hike our way back. The view from the canyon rim was stunning. The largest canyon in Africa, it stretches about 100 miles long and up to 17mi wide and 342mi deep in places.

View from the rim of the Fish River Canyon

The initial descent into the ravine was a steep switchback trail virtually straight down the canyon wall. The descent continued 1.2mi and finally opened up to a gorgeous sandy beach on the river where we stopped for lunch. Being winter, the water was relatively low, and at times seemed like long intermittent pools rather than a flowing river. Though it did get deep enough for swimming and cliff jumping in a number of places.

The river was a welcome sight after a hot descent.

Cliff jumping into the Fish River

The day’s hike was relatively short and we arrived at our sleeping place by midafternoon. We brought no tents so everyone looked around for a suitable place to unroll their mat and sleeping bag. Some preferred flat rocks, others sand. We all dispersed to find a private place for a bucket bath with water from the river.  For dinner, we were divided into 3 cooking groups. Our meals were mostly rice or pasta with dried vegetables and canned meat. One of the other facilitators was quite experienced, so he did all the cooking and I just helped with the dishes.

As per usual, after dinner we gathered for our evening sharing session and devotions before heading to bed to fall asleep under the stars. Up to now everything was new and exciting, the hiking, the scenery, getting to know the boys, so I didn’t even mind sleeping on the hardly packed sand or the thought of hoisting my pack back on my shoulders the next morning. However that would not always be the case….

(Read parts 2 & 3 of this post series here and here.)