Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail: A Walk Through the Mountains in Desert Country (Day 7 & 8)
In this week's addition: The adventure comes to an end as we hike the last two days in one go. We enjoy beautiful views, and everyone gets sprayed with beer.
The last day of a longer multi-day hike is usually a bittersweet affair.
You’re sad because it’s ending.
Why?
You’ve just reached that zen state where you feel you can keep going forever.
Everything makes more sense out on the trail.
Life is simple.
On the flip side, though, you have a life back home.
People need to know about how awesome this type of hiking is.
You’re overjoyed to get back and share this amazing experience with family and friends.
But there is an exception.
What, you may ask?
Well, it is when your friends decide to do the last two days of the hike in one day.
Then there is no bittersweetness.
There is just survival until the finish.
Only then, perhaps, there is bittersweetness (upon reflection).
And so, with the bit between our teeth knowing we are tackling two days of hiking in one, we set off on the last day - Day 7 (and 8) - of our Namib Naukluft Hike.
Day 7 (and 8) - Tufa Shelter to Kapokvlakte Shelter (for lunch) and finally Hiker’s Haven
The day started with a simple stroll along the trail following the valley. Then it sharply veered right and upwards, leading to some boulder hopping and finally a near vertical dry waterfall that needed ascending.
Once we navigated this obstacle, it was a gradual hike along the river bed towards the summit of the surrounding plateau.
At the top, we were treated to some beautiful vistas over the surrounding terrain. And we once again realised how big these little known mountains in an otherwise flat desert country are.
Since we were on a bit of a schedule having to complete two days of hiking in one, we only took a short break here, but it was nonetheless one appreciated by all in the group.
From here it was a surprisingly flat (if longish) hike to what would have been our overnight shelter had we done the hike like normal people.
Instead it was our lunch stop.
Oh well, at least we were making good progress.
Interesting aside: “kapokvlakte” translated from Afrikaans roughly means “soft white flat area” - referring to the fact that it can even snow up there on rare occasions.
From here the trail follows the excarpment for what seems an eternity.
Especially since we could start to smell the finish of the trail (meaing we knew we were getting close to the end of the hike).
As we started our descent back towards our original starting point, moods started to lift and we slowly gained awareness of what we were about accomplish.
Once down on the valley floor, we headed into and through a final narrow kloof (hence “Naukluft”) section before reaching the home stretch.
Just before we exited this narrow kloof section, I managed to get my fellow hikers to agree to a portrait of each of us.
The last kilometer or two were on the nature reserve’s gravel roads, and we were laughing and in great spirits as we made our way to the finish of the Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail.
One of the nice things about ending a hike in an official campsite?
The bar!
Which is exactly where we put down our packs after entering camp, for a well deserved beer, at Hiker’s Haven.
And so our last day on the Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail came to an end, I hope you enjoyed the journey with me!
Do you have any thoughts on Day 7 (and 8) / experiences to share?
Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.
PS - This is the 8th 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).
—
Until next time ✌🏽.
Cornelius
Last week’s blog / newsletter:
Namib Naukluft Hiking Trail: A Walk Through the Mountains in Desert Country (Day 6)
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…
Enjoy this newsletter?
Forward it to a friend 👉🏽 sharing is caring 😊.
Join the Crew?
If you’d like to keep sharing the visual stoke together, sign up for Alpine Dispatches.
Looking for more / to connect?
You can find me on Vero (photography), Instagram (photography, life, family) and Twitter (photography, discussions, thoughts), as well as my website (portfolio, trying to be an adult 🤷🏼♂️).
Ways to support my work:
Subscribing (for free 🤠, or paid 😍) and joining the discussion.
Kitting yourself out in Seasonal Vagabond merch, here.
Investing in a fine art print of the Swiss Alps here.
Grabbing a set of b/w backgrounds for your phone here.
Contributing to a goal of mine here.
Or simply just buying me a virtual coffee here.
Loved this journey! x