#1: [15-Jan-05]

03-May-2021 -- This is the third out of 5 confluence visits on our drive through the North-East of Namibia. The story starts from 20°S 13°E and continues from 20°S 14°E.

We started at 7 AM from Palmwag and after a drive of 2 hours northwards on road D3710, we reached a 4WD track branching off at a beeline distance to the confluence of 5.3 km. From the satellite image we saw that this track would get us as close as 1.5 km to the confluence point. But in reality, this track was overgrown and not driveable anymore. Again, we parked our vehicle at the main road and decided that I should continue on foot. I thought that a visit should be quicker than 10 hours as previous visitors had taken, although they had driven directly to the bottom of the mountain.

I set off only equipped with my GPS, mobile phone and running shoes - without any water. The day was not too hot and carrying water would have slowed me down. So, I ran half the distance over flat terrain and the second half I ascended 300 m in height on top of a table mountain. The ascend was a bit tricky due to the need of avoiding those vertical rock faces. Somehow, I made it on top where the going was a bit easier, also thorny bushes, loose rocks and up- and downs slowed me down.

The confluence is located on a relatively steep flank of the mountain just 20 m from the flatter mountain top. Scattered trees and bushes grow in the vicinity of the confluence

After the visit, I made an unusual decision: I would not follow my rule that one should always return on the same way in order to avoid bad surprises. I simply descended straight down into the valley. Down in the valley I did some sort of canyoning: I followed the gradient at the valley bottom. Both flanks got soon almost vertical and I had to climb down some big steps while following the valley. Luckily, I could overcome those steps and reach the flatlands again – if not I would have had to climb all the way up again. As a result, I can advice for future visitors to follow the valley bottom as it is interesting and at a bit shady.

After 2:40 hours I was back at the vehicle where Elionora was waiting for me. We continued driving northwards and spent the night in the provincial town Opuwo.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to a road: 5300 m
• Distance to a track: 5300 m
• Distance of car parking: 5300 m
• Time to reach the confluence from the car: 1:30 hours
• Time at the confluence: 10:57 AM
• Measured height: 1342 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy: 3 m
• Topography: mountainous, on top of a hill
• Weather: clear sky, 25° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Canyoning Confluence

The story continues at 17°S 13°E. Pictures of our trip can be found here.