Thrombi X-Fest

This past weekend close to Underberg on the Umzimkulu river Thrombi X-Fest occurred. It was the 7^th annual X-fest and it consists mainly of downhill mountain biking and kayaking.

Mark and I participated in the head to head down river race. Water levels had been great all week and held throughout the weekend. Saturday was the qualification runs… this consisted of groups of four competitors racing down the river. The fastest eight would go to the finals the next day. Unfortunately none of the South African lady paddlers made it out to compete so I was the only female. I did have a great time, the down river course was fantastic, and I came in first (by default). Mark had a good day on Saturday, posting the 6^th fastest time and making it to the finals on Sunday. All of the top eight paddlers raced down the course at the same time. This caused some carnage on a couple of the rapids but made for great spectating. Mark was one of the unlucky racers to be run over, and finished in eighth place.

Ross O'Donahue in the lead during the finals

Mark running Thrombi Falls

The festival was a great success… scorching hot weather, a great party on Saturday night and some good racing.

Garden Castle Near Underberg

Drakensberg Area and Lesotho

After the Umthamvuna Mark and I went back to Adi and Ange’s homestead where we met up with another crew of boaters. The water was low but we did manage to hit a few rivers (the Tsitsa, the Pot and the Inxu) before we made our way to Underberg, close to the Drakensberg mountains.

Seceond waterfall on the Inxu River

We stayed in Underberg a couple days, paddling the Thrombosis gorge, before making our way to Winterton, in the Central Drakensberg. Chris and Jackie, whom we had met in Uganda live there, and there is some great paddling nearby. In the next week we managed to paddle a couple rivers (including an overnight trip), take in a falconry show, experience some crazy thunderstorms (the Central Drakensberg has one of the highest lightening strike rates in the world) and check out the beautiful area.

Michelle on the Injisuthi River

Portaging on the Tugela

Camp Spot

I'd love to have a Meerkat as a pet!

The drive from Winterton the Clarens was beautiful, especially Golden Gate National Park. We stayed in Clarens for a couple days to run the Ash river, before heading to Lesotho.



Once in Lesotho Mark and I headed for the famous Sani Pass. We drove up into the mountains, through passes over 3000m and lush green mountains. But nothing prepared us for the Sani pass. It was as if the road dropped of the side of the mountain. Crazy steep switchbacks, the like we have never seen before, taken at a snails pace. Finally with a breath of relief we made it to the bottom. I can see why only strong 4x4’s are allowed on this road.

All of a sudden the road drops off a cliff!