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Lower Crocodile River Trip2008-03-31

Crocodile River.

Lower Crocodile, just outside of Nelspruit

(click on the pic to enlarge)

  majority of the river looks like this: bouldergardens,syphons,undercuts pic from bridge crossing crocodile to indicate river level hugh and jaco

 

Returning from the Blyde river we decided we needed some fun on our long journey back to Parys. After a few desperate late evening phone calls Hugh got hold of Jaco (Induna Adventures) and being the man he is; he was up for some fun as well. After a lot of driving around, trying to scout from the road, some rather large farmers warning us of even larger and aggresave hippos. We finally found a shuttle driver and off to the river we went. Some more adventurous driving followed in Hugh’s trusty (legendary?) Honda.

hugh approaching rapid with big wave at the bottom hugh entering big wave at the bottom jaco going into the big wave                

jaco taking it in reverse  Boof Left rapid  jaco landing boofhugh showing right boof on "boof left" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A little bush slide/seal launch and in the water we go. The section starts with a few little bits and then picks up the tempo and keeps it going all the way home. The rapids vary from easy 3’s (grade 3a-c and maybe 1 or 2 grade 4a’s. for those who doesn't understand the grading system get hold of and watch Corrans "Legend of the Falls")

 jaco below "boof left"  hugh on double drop rapid (don't run left)   hugh running another fun drop

The section is basically one long boulder garden, we were lucky to catch the river with some water, because apparently with no/low water it is basically just one long set of siphons so take extra caution. On higher levels the siphons are not as visable but believe me they are still there and a lot more potent if you do end up in one. So what I am trying to say is if you do not have a good roll think twice before you paddle this section.

     the weir   the weir showing line river right

 We had a little map but it was lost on the journey back home so sorry that I cant give better descriptions of the distances and rapids. There are some really awesome lines and some not so great ones. Take the time to scout properly and do not just run blind, this goes for the pools as well especially after the big weir (run it far river right, about a boat length from the side). river left take out above "boof left" rapid

 

Hippos are all over the show and they are apparently not kayak friendly. On our trip we encountered some on two separate places, the first was alone in a pool and seemed ok with us three sneaking along the opposite side of the pool. The second little pod we found rather close to where we got out, there were three or four of them and they were happily standing their ground in the bottom river right of the pool. The three of us opted again for a sneak down the river left of the pool trying to be as quick and quiet as possible. The hippos behaved and only once we were almost out the pool did they stand up.

 

   

                                      

take out next to the highwaySummary of this section of river: Absolutely wonderful, caution hippo’s, caution siphon’s&undercuts and probably most important IF YOUR MATE CANT ROLL HE SHOULD BE DRIVING 

 

- WWT

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