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Trapped
in the Fish River Canyon - 26.09.05
A spur-of-the-moment excursion into the Fish River Canyon
in southern Namibia has cost one of the guests of Cañon
Lodge his life and left his next of kin in deep sadness.
He started to climb down into the more than 500 m deep
gorge from Hiker's Point near the main lookout point
at 10 a.m. on 9 September. Without water. Despite very
visible signposts prohibiting descent. And even though
staff of Gondwana Cañon Park always warn guests
that descending into the canyon is prohibited and should
not be attempted. The man’s wife stayed behind.
Down in the canyon the 63-year-old German met a group
of hikers who later saw him climb up again. It was the
last time he was seen alive. His wife kept waiting for
him at Hiker's Point until evening – in vain. |
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The
next morning saw the start of an extensive search operation.
An experienced Nature Conservation
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official
was the first to climb down and look for the man;
then staffers of Nature Conservation and Gondwana
Cañon Park, policemen and soldiers combed
the rugged terrain. A total of 40 men were deployed,
and a helicopter patrolled the entire length of
the canyon. To no avail. After nine days the search
was called off. Even after three days chances
of finding the man were very slim already, as
daytime temperatures rose to more than 40 degrees.
“This is the first time we were unable to
find a missing person”, says Patrick Lane,
Chief Control Warden for Southern Parks of Namibia.
“He lost his way climbing back up. We found
his tracks, but they disappeared on the rocky
ground. Perhaps he came to a steep spot where
he lost his grip and fell, sustained injuries
and sought shelter under a rock”, Lane reckons.
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One of the many signs at the Fish River Canyon
telling visitors not to venture down on their
own, which can hardly be missed but are often
ignored. |
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The cost of
the search is estimated at more than N$ 240,000 (about
30,000 Euro). About half of it is for the helicopter
and the rescue service and will be paid by the wife
of the missing man. The effort of Nature Conservation
and Gondwana Cañon Park, the deployment of police
and Defence Force as well as provisions supplied to
the search parties by Cañon Lodge make up the
remainder of the cost and will be covered by the State
and Gondwana. |
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When
you realise you are in trouble, it is often too late
The German tourist is not the first fatality at the
canyon. A young Frenchman lost his way and plunged to
his death in February 2001. Since then day visitors
are no longer allowed to descend into the canyon. Offenders
are fined N$ 300 (about 37 Euro) if they get caught.
But many are unimpressed by the fine and do not take
the ban seriously. They overestimate themselves and
ignore the danger, especially as the descent seems relatively
easy. Usually it is still cool and the path is well
visible from the top. Almost two hours later the way
back to the top is a completely different story: climbing
is more exerting, the sun beats down and heats up the
rock, you are sweating, you feel thirsty and find it
difficult to identify the path in particularly rocky
places.
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Commemorative note attached
to the back of the warning sign at Hiker's Point by
the missing man's wife. |
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Experience
has shown that bans and fines have little effect. “Ever
so often we have to search for somebody who got lost
in the canyon”, says Patrick Lane with a sigh.
It is being considered for quite some time now to offer
guided day hikes into the canyon. But as yet it is not
clear if and when these plans will be implemented. |
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Until then,
however, the rule still is that day visitors are not
allowed to descend into the canyon because it is extremely
dangerous. Hike along the rim of the imposing gorge
instead or book a scenic flight. |
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If
you feel that you must get down into the canyon you
have to be in excellent physical condition and you need
to allow for enough time: you can go on an 80 km hiking
tour from Hiker’s Point to Ai-Ais, which will
take four to five days. You can tackle the tour on your
own (a minimum of three participants, bookings at Namibia
Wildlife Resorts) or with a guide (bookings at Trailhopper).
These hikes are only allowed in winter, more specifically
from mid-April to mid-September, because it is getting
too hot in summer. |
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