Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail: A Walk Through the Mountains in Desert Country (Day 6)

In this week's addition: We scramble out of a dead end valley. A narrow contour path is navigated. We have coffee in the shade and I take a picture of a tree.

A scramble up the side of the mountain gets the blood flowing at the start of Day 6 of the Namib Naukluft Hike.

Day 6 of a multi-day hike has a lot of meaning, both literally and figuratively.

Literally in the sense that your body has now become a finely tuned multi-day hiking machine. Figuratively in the sense that your mind has done the same, but in the way you approach each day.

Thus, at this point of the journey, you’re just reaching your peak as a multi-day hiker.

Things happen without having to think about them.

Wake up.

Coffee on the stove.

Shove toothbrush into mouth.

Shoes on feet.

Pack onto back.

Hike.

Take a break.

Enjoy the view.

Have some coffee.

Reach the overnight spot, get into “The Routine” (see Day 1).

Reminisce about day with fellow hikers.

Sleep.

Repeat.

It is a beautiful thing, this transformation that happens during a long ( generally more than 4 day) multi-day hike.

But then, just as you feel you can go on forever, you realise the hike and adventure will soon be over.

This is one of the cruel things about such a long hike and / or journey:

It takes time to get into it, but once you’re into the zone, you don’t want it to end.

And I’ve seen it happen.

People just not putting their packs down and quite literally carrying on ad infinitum.

That really brings meaning to the saying “The journey is the destination”.

So, with these philosophical thoughts running through our minds, we set off on Day 6 of our Namib Naukluft Hike.

Preparing to set off from the Die Valle Shelter on Day 6 of the Namib Naukluft Hike.

Day 6 - Die Valle Shelter to Tufa Shelter

Our route for Day 6 started towards the end of the gorge where we went to view the 200m high waterfall the previous late afternoon on Day 5.

This is a dead end gorge with no obvious exit.

But then, just as we thought we might have to free climb up the waterfall, the trail veered off to the left, leading to a scramble up the side of the mountain.

L-R: Starting up the path that leads to the scramble; Ester showing good scrambling technique; The view back down the valley.

This scramble had us make our way to a narrow contour path that snaked its way to the river that feeds the waterfall.

The narrow contour path (see the hiker top left?) leading to the river higher up.

This part of the trail provided us with amazing views over the surrounding terrain with its mountains and valleys.

L-R: Coos making his way along the contour path; A vista down a dry riverbed and valley.

Once we reached the river, a coffee break at the top of the 200m high waterfall from the day before was in order.

L-R: Lying down to peer over the edge of the 200m drop; Coffee time with a view.

From here it was a bit up and down, with the odd chain linked scramble, to the watershed higher up.

Lowering packs up and down along the route on Day 6 of the hike.

The highest point of Day 6 provided us with great views, as well as a clear direction to the remainder of our route to the overnight point, Tufa Shelter.

L-R: Surveying the route and landscape from the highest point on Day 6; A look down towards our end goal for Day 6, Tufa Shelter.

Starting down the path leading to the shelter, we were reminded once again how important it was to carry enough water for each day with us, as it was a hot and dry stretch.

L-R: Making our way down to the valley; The trail can be long sometimes; Showing tight formation on Day 6.

Lower down we were relieved to find ourselves in a small gorge with high cliffs, which meant some welcome shade and cooler temperatures.

So we decided a quick rest break was well deserved.

Our hiking party enjoying some shade and well earned rest before the final stretch to our overnight point.

In fact, we also used the opportunity for a quick coffee / tea top up, as well as map inspection.

L-R: Tea brewing in the pot; Coos inspecting the trail map; Tea being shared around.

Once we gathered our energy to tackle the last stretch, it went by quickly and we reached our overnight shelter without issue.

In fact, we reached it so quick I completely forgot to take a picture of it.

I did, however, spot a tree a little further down from the shelter and managed to make some landscape images of it.

And so day six came to an end, hope you enjoyed it!

A fascinating tree close to the Tufa Shelter, Day 6 of the Namib Naukluft Hike.

Do you have any thoughts on Day 6 / experiences to share?

Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.

PS - This is the 7th 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).

PPPS - Next week, in the last day on the trail, we hike the last two days of the trail in one day, subscribe to be sure not to miss it!

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Until next time ✌🏽.

Cornelius

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