Day 2: Serenity and 63km - Richard Kohler

Dry bags and gear laid out on the riverbank to dry

Day 2

Otters around the tent last night — a proper wilderness wake-up call after day one’s 57km slog. A chilly start to the morning, and not exactly looking forward to zipping back into cold, wet gear.

An otter track in the sand near the campsite Thermometer reading -1.8 degrees on a chilly morning Morning coffee inside the tent

Found some serenity out on the water today — flat, quiet stretches after yesterday’s wind and cramp. A good day with no swims, and 63km down by evening, with a lekker spot lined up to camp for the night.

GPS watch reading 63.51km at the end of day 2

Made camp at a proper riverside spot for the night – thatched shelter, stone braai, room to hang everything out to dry after a long day in wet gear.

Dry bags, board and boots laid out at the riverside campsite Wet paddling gear hung out to dry on the campsite fence Freeze-dried sweet and sour chicken dinner after the day's paddle

There’s a weir coming up in the morning, and word from camp was: “Rich said he would shoot it. We will have to wait to find out if he made it.” The answer came first thing the next day.

Distance covered: 63km
Swims: 0
Camp: riverside, below the next weir