WATCH: The Otter Trail – An unforgettable experience
“We booked to do this walk a year ago,” said Debbie. “It gets booked up very quickly and 12 people walk the trail every day of the year."
KIOWA Howes from Mondeor and a learner at Hartford College is the first 13-year-old to complete the Garden Route National Park Tsitsikamma Otter Trail: 42km in five days.
Kiowa and his mom, Debbie, walked the Otter Trail from October 5 to 9, and told the Comaro CHRONICLE about their unforgettable experience.
“We booked to do this walk a year ago,” said Debbie. “It gets booked up very quickly and 12 people walk the trail every day of the year. Before the big day we trained carrying rucksacks of seven kg’s going up and down the Westcliffe Stairs, next to the Westcliffe Hotel. Apparently many people train on these stairs for long hikes.”
When they were getting ready, Kiowa’s rucksack weighed 12kg and Debbie’s, 16kg at the beginning of the walk. They took dehydrated food, rice, porridge oats, packets of tuna fish, nuts, biltong, bars of chocolate, healthy date snacks and for their first meal, meat.
“With no fridges at the huts, we couldn’t take food which would go off quickly,” said Debbie.
They also carried water and natural antibiotics.
“Walking with us was a family of six and two other couples. Accommodation along the trail is two huts at each stop-off point, which has two or three bed bunks with mattresses and very little else. All food, water, clothing, sleeping bags and everything else you may need is carried in a rucksack with you along the walk every day.”
WATCH:
Easy going
Day one was the easiest walk, 4.8km along the coastline, on the beach and in between rocks.
“It was beautiful, but walking on the rocks was extremely slippery and we were happy to finish and arrive at the hut for the night,” said Kiowa.
On day two it was a hard walk of 7.9km. Kiowa said it was like climbing Table Mountain five times.
“The trail was very steep and through forest, then along the coastline right next to sheer cliff drops. If you fear heights, this wouldn’t be a walk for you!”
Day three, 7.7km and lots of ups and downs, was also the first day they had to cross a river.
“The Lottering River has to be crossed when it’s low tide, so we had to estimate how long it would take us to reach the river so we could get across. It was dark when we left base and we used head lamps so we could see where we were walking. It was a beautiful walk and we saw lots of dolphins along the way. Kiowa was doing really well, keeping up with rugby players of 22 years old, but I was flagging behind a bit due to sore knees,” added Debbie.
Day four was challenging
The walk was 13.8km and they left base at 4am because they had to get across the dangerous Bloukrans River while the tide was low.
“It was 10 kilometres to get to the river and on the way Kiowa fell and sprained his ankle. It didn’t deter him one bit, though, and we carried on to the river as quickly as we could. We had to change our clothing and put on swimwear and plastic shoes and put our rucksacks in survival bags (big plastic bags which are tied with cable ties to stop the contents from getting wet).
“The rain was coming down and it was cold and windy as we waded across the river. One of our group fell and cut his knee and the going was hard. Thankfully, Kiowa was great and we got across without any injuries. We ate lunch and then had another few kilometres to walk and had to climb up ropes to get to the top of a cliff. We were all tired when we reached our huts for the night. I strapped up Kiowa’s ankle and we slept like the dead!”
Day five, the last day was their easiest walk, 10.8km.
“There was a mountain to climb and then we walked along the escarpment and through Nature’s Valley, crossing another river with the help of chains. When we saw the finish we were just so grateful, exhausted but exhilarated to have completed the Otter Trail. Kiowa is the youngest to ever complete the trail and I’m so proud of him,” Debbie said.
Arriving back in Mondeor two days later, Kiowa said how much he appreciated life’s little luxuries, such as his comfortable bed, a cushion on the couch and, of course, slap-up meals.
What’s next?
“I’d like to walk the Dolphin Trail,” Kiowa said.
Keep a look-out for the next instalment of Debbie and Kiowa’s meanderings!
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