The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, next to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It features a gigantic ravine, about 160 kilometers long, 27 kilometers wide, and 550 meters deep in some areas. It overlooks the Fish River which is the longest interior river in Namibia that cuts deep into the plateau. At the time of our visit, the river was nearly dry. Our guide said that it only flows intermittently, usually flooding in the late summer.
This was one of the excursions that my husband was excited about because of the geology. He spent the whole morning investigating the gneiss bedrocks in the upper canyon, where we were.
As for me, after looking at some rock samples with him, I stayed under the shade. There were lookouts built like little huts with thatched roofs around the canyon. Underneath were picnic tables and chairs made of stones that provided a comfortable spot to enjoy the scenery without getting sunburnt. The German couple joined me afterwards and we watched my husband as he scampered about like a child delighting in his own geological playground.
We did not have the time to go to the lower canyon, which could be accessed through a hiking trail. It would have been something my husband will consider doing, but it was not part of our tour. I was fine with that, and I was pretty sure that the elderly couple travelling with us were not interested in hiking down the steep canyon. Like me, they were happy with just enjoying the panoramic view and taking photos.
Our guide mentioned that the hike takes around five days, depending on one's fitness, to cover the whole 85-kilometre trail, and that there is some rough camping involved. He also said that day visitors like us are not allowed to explore the canyon. Only hikers doing the full trail are given the permit to descent into it.
My husband had to content himself with taking a few rock samples and of course, some souvenir shots. The formidable expedition would have to wait for another trip – a geological or adventure tour - and only when we are both physically fit enough to handle the daunting challenge, for not only would we need to navigate steep crags and unmarked trails, but we would also need to survive a combination of heat, lack of water, inclement weather, lack of amenities, and no mobile phone reception.
Immersing in the full canyon experience comes with a price, and one has to invest physically, mentally, psychologically, and emotionally. As with the Grand Canyon, adventurers here prepare for months before they take the plunge. Clearly, we were not ready. Perhaps, in a few years...
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