Namibia Day 8 - Desert Hike

After another enjoyable night sleeping under the stars, we wake up with the birds and the sunrise. Werner and I grab a quick bite to eat and pack our hiking packs for a challenging hike. We start by car, driving to the Eagles nest accommodation, also part of the Klein Aus Vista group. The accommodation, the most expensive of the selection, consists of stone chalets nestled at the base of the mountains. They are pretty isolated. We find the hikers parking and starting point, and start the Eagle trail, the most challenging of all the trails in the area, by following the blue arrows.

We start by hiking along a dry river bed, very tough on the calves in the soft sand. We follow the base of the mountain for a while, climbing a ladder to cross a fence, and eventually reaching a semi abandoned caravan in the middle of nowhere. From here, the trail turns upwards, through a steep crevice in the mountains. We boulder hop for a while, and it is a challenge each time finding the next blue arrow to follow.












We finally reach the top, and here is the turn off for the famous Nemesis viewpoint. The sign warns us that there is steep free climbing required, and it is about 25 minutes one way. We decide to tackle it, we didn't come all this way just to woos out. We start up a winding trail towards the back of the steep rocky mountain, and eventually reach a point where walking is no longer possible. This is the free climb... There is a very steep crack leading up to the summit, and we take it on, using hands and feet. At some points it's a meter of finding the next hand hold and then the next foothold, not sure whether we will be able to proceed further or not...






























But we make it! And the views from the top are spectacular, totally worth it! We enjoy a quiet moment up top, downing a packet of chips and a lot of water, before braving the climb down in reverse. Back at the base, we continue the hike, through beautiful scenery. At one point we spot 3 steenbok, jumping gracefully over the rocks. We reach another split, where we can choose between a very steep short route back, or a longer more gradual route back. We choose the gradual route, since it goes past the geisterschluscht cabin and the old car, things we wanted to see.




















Eventually we reach the old car - a rusted old Hudson on bricks in the middle of the desert, and we read its story. The car belonged to diamond thieves, who stole some diamonds from Kolmanskop and raced off towards Aus. The diamond police gave chase, and followed them to this valley. Here a shoot out ensued, and both robbers we killed. But no diamonds were found. The legend says that the ghosts of the thieves still haunt the valley, searching for lost diamonds. Hence the name Geisterschluscht or Ghost valley... The old car is riddled with bullet holes, evidence of the veracity of the story.
























We also spot the cabin in the distance, a hikers dormitory, but are too tired to go any closer. We continue along the sand road back to the car, completing the 20km hike in about 5 hours.

Back at the campsite we meet the rest of the group, who have been horse watching at the pan, and grab some food for lunch. We enjoy our lunch on the shady porch of the Sanfords chalet. Mom and I have a nap while the rest check out the literally "one horse town" of Aus, filling up with 500ppm diesel. They decide to go back again to the horse pan, while we relax in the chalet, enjoying them sunset.






That evening we take a break from cooking, and sample the delights of the a Desert Horse Inn restaurant. We enjoy salmon mousse starters, salads, gammon and oryx stroganoff. Everyone comments that the oryx reminds them of liver, but it is still nice. Dessert is a very rich dark chocolate almond cake. Feeling full but happy, we head back to camp for our last night here.






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Location:Aus, Namibia