Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail: A Walk Through the Mountains in Desert Country (Day 5)
In this week's addition: We have flapjacks for breakfast. A group picture is taken. The trail is lost, then found, and we sleep under a million stars.
Day 5 of a multi-day hike is the day you realise it’s all good.
You’ve got this.
The aches and pains have disappeared.
The body - and mind - have remarkably addapted to this new way of life. You’ve accepted, and more importantly made peace with, the fact that it is what it is.
The result?
A life altering transformative experience. Metaphorical rebirth into an alternate state of consciousness.
An effortless dancing over the day’s terrain to the next overnight shelter.
See last week’s post for more on the above.
And thus, you start to excel in this harsh - but immensely beautiful - environment. Afterall, how can one appreciate the good without also going through the bad?
Life is funny like that.
Hiking too, fyi.
Ah yes, the snoring mystery, I hear those ask who have been following along. It was decided that it’s a moot point. After all, doesn’t everyone make a bit of noise at some stage during the night?
Unless you get a hiking shoe thrown against your head.
Then you know it was you.
And so, head hurting from a shoe toss during the night or not, we set off on Day 5 of our Namib Naukluft Hike.
Day 5 - Tsams Ost Shelter to Die Valle Shelter
As spirits were still high from reaching the halfway mark (and having the luxury of our re-supply team), we decided to take our time a bit and start the day with flapjacks (also known as pancakes in the U.S.A.).
This was followed by a traditional posed group photo of course, to document the occasion, before setting off.
After concluding the above formalities, as one does on any expedition, we got back to business and started our day’s hike.
The trail started with a short climb up the mountainside, after which we undulated between quiver trees and shrubs, a welcome way to ease ourselves back into the hiking rhythm.
On a day like today, 4-6 days into a multi-day hike, it is always amazing to see that everyone is doing well.
Yes, there will always be the odd sore toe or funny shoulder.
But the mental capacity to deal with it is what sets a succesful multi-day hiker apart from the rest.
The undulating part of the trail along the higher ground of Day 5 gave way to a gradual but never ending descent into a long valley.
This was not without a bit of controversy, however, as we had to double check our path finding skills on the map a few times (see opening image).
Once reaching the valley floor, the rest of the way is quite simple as it follows a jeep track for large parts.
The last stretch of the trail on Day 5 leads you into a mountainous amphitheatre, and one cannot help but be in awe.
Our overnight shelter was very similar to the one on Day 3, but with the welcome addition of a big tree.
Since we made good time and arrived a bit early, we decided to go and have a look at the magnificent 200m high waterfall at the end of the valley.
Once back at the shelter, it was time for “The Routine” (see Day 1) of sorting out sleeping spots and attending to any developing injuries.
During this time, the sun disappeared and the rising moon began to illuminate the sides of some of the surrounding mountains, which I was fortunate to capture.
Afterwards, as usual, we cooked dinner together and discussed the days events until everyone agreed it would be a good idea to get some well earned shut eye.
But first, I had to try and capture the sky with its uncountable stars above us.
And that was that for day five, hope you enjoyed it!
Do you have any thoughts on Day 5 / experiences to share?
Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.
PS - This is the 6th instalment of my weekly visual story covering the 8 Day Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail (1 day / week), you can read the previous posts here if you’ve missed them.
PPS - shameless plug once again 👉🏽 I have a new side hustle up and running, so if you like outdoor inspired casual clothing, check it out here (use code READER10 for a 10% discount)!
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Until next time ✌🏽.
Cornelius
Last week’s blog / newsletter:
Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail: A Walk Through the Mountains in Desert Country (Day 4)
Day 4 of a multi-day hike can go either way - good or bad. You’ve accepted your fate the day before. But it doesn’t mean you’ve made peace with it. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s not. However, if you do make peace with it, you go through a life altering transformative ex…
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The combination of your words and visuals, make these stories come to life in a way that transports one into being there. Thank you for capturing some of the remotest areas of our countries awe inspiring landscapes and moments and sharing it with us!