Hiking The Fish. The ultimate guide to the Fish River Canyon trail, by Henk Blanckenberg and Lizet Meyer

Hiking The Fish. The ultimate guide to the Fish River Canyon trail, by Henk Blanckenberg and Lizet Meyer. Penguin Random House South Africa. Imprint: Struik Travel & Heritage. Cape Town, South Africa 2024. ISBN 9781775848875 / ISBN 978-1-77-584877-6

Hiking The Fish. The ultimate guide to the Fish River Canyon trail, by Henk Blanckenberg and Lizet Meyer. The Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, holds the distinction of being the largest in Africa.

The Fish River Canyon

Situated in the far south of Namibia, the startlingly beautiful Fish River Canyon is 550 m deep and 160 km long. At its narrowest, it is 5km across but gradually expands to around 28km at the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort. Through this gigantic ravine runs one of the most exciting hikes in the region: the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail, a multiday hike that is as challenging as it is unforgettable. The trail starts at Hikers' Viewpoint along the canyon rim, 12km west of Hobas Lodge, and ends at the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort. It is open from May to mid-September. It is closed during the summer months when soaring temperatures and the absence of water make the environment inhospitable to humans. Completing the Fish River Canyon hike is no small feat. The terrain is rough, the weight on your back considerable and the exposure to the elements challenging. But the rewards are immense: a respite from the clamour of daily life; the magic of marching through geological time; the unexpected pleasure of breaking bread with fellow hikers after a gruelling day; and sleeping in the open under starry skies. Other surprises include sightings of wild animals and majestic birds and dramatic sunsets and sunrises, punctuated at the end of the journey, when you reach Ai-Ais, by a deep sense of personal achievement. These are only some of the experiences that make this one of the more memorable hikes in southern Africa, and why hikers from around the world are drawn to it, some even hiking it over and over again. River Canyon year after year with some having hiked the' route more than 20 times. The oldest person known to have successfully hiked the route did so at the age of 84 and the youngest at a mere eight years An age restriction of 12 years has since been introduced.

A planning guide for hiking the Fish River Canyon

The official Fish River Canyon hike has been in existence for more than 40 years and since its inception hikers have had the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Namibia's grandest geological features. There are many variables to consider when preparing to do the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail. These include deciding when to go and how to book; how to get there and where to overnight before and after the hike; how big the size of the group should be and what the fitness requirements are; what gear is most appropriate and what type of food is likely to see you through; and, once in the canyon, what the best route is to follow and where the shortcuts are. This guide, prepared by veterans of the 'Fish' takes you step by step through the entire process, detailing booking procedures, cross-border requirements, fitness planning, and the selection of gear, clothes and food. Lastly, it offers guidance and tips for getting safely to the canyon floor and for finding your way along the ancient river course over the five to six days of the hike. Additional suggestions for maintaining a daily routine and pace, where to set up camp each night, how to navigate river crossings and boulder fields, and how to steer clear of the things that potentially could derail your hike are provided.

Hiking The Fish. The ultimate guide to the Fish River Canyon trail, by Henk Blanckenberg and Lizet Meyer.

Title: Hiking The Fish
Subtitle: The ultimate guide to the Fish River Canyon trail
Author: Henk Blanckenberg; Lizet Meyer
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Travel & Heritage
Cape Town, South Africa 2024
ISBN 9781775848875 / ISBN 978-1-77-584877-6
Softcover, 15 x 21 cm, 103 pages, throughout colour photos, 1 map