1st full descent of Dante’s Inferno (Gradient: dropping 85ft in 65ft)
The Elands River is a small tributary to the Crocodile River and does not boast world class whitewater; save for one stretch that is about 50m long. In those 50m the river drops roughly 30m and I would argue it to be one of the best sections of whitewater in the entire country.
parking in the middle of nowhere
The cataract known as Dante’s Inferno had never been run before. I seal launched in half way and ran the main bottom drop for the first time in July this year (click here for the story) but was eager to come back and be the first to run the entire stretch.
This time with a higher flow the top double drop was “a GO”. Known as Double Delight or Double D this is the left hand entry waterfall into Dante’s Inferno which leads into the 13m Dante’s Drop.
I partnered up with well known South African kayaker Luke Longridge and long time friend David Schneider (our camera man, cook and shuttle bunny). We spent the better part of the morning hacking through thick African bush and scouting the drops before gearing up above Double D.
Double Delight a.k.a Double D: is a technical double drop and we decided to run the first 2m drop from river left this would put us right on the lip of the second 5m drop where a quick and strong left boof stroke is require to miss an undercut on river left in the pool below.
After winning Rock/Paper/Scissors I went first. My line was good, maybe a little too far left on the first drop but recovered fine on the second drop to avoid the undercut and came up still upright to celebrate. Luke followed but unfortunately there was a glitch in the camera work so there unfortunately is no footage of him successfully running Double D, which he styled.
Gearing up for double D
Scott on the first drop of DD
In the thick of the second drop, DD
We then waited in the pool below for our cameraman, Dave, to get into position for Dante’s Drop.
Dante’s Drop: 13m high drop, only one line had been run before coming from river right but due to the island in the middle the only line open to us was the one coming from river left. We both agreed that a late boof stroke was required at the crease where the two flows met, followed by a good tuck.
Luke went first this time, I watch him scrape through the bony rapid that leads into the drop before he disappears over the lip. I wait and start to get anxious, and then I hear his shriek of triumph.
My turn, it’s a lonely feeling when you are getting into your kayak above a drop as big as Dante’s. All alone in the middle of class V+ with the only way out being a waterfall that has only been run twice before, I guess it is only natural that I was feeling that way. Like Luke I bumped and scraped through the entry before reaching the lip. No turning back now, this is where instinct and skill take over – I slipped over the edge and held my stroke at the ready and after falling two metres I pull and tuck. I disappear into the crease and fall (for ages). The landing was surprisingly soft, I go deep and surface well clear of the cave behind the base of the falls – a perfect line.
Luke on the lip of Dante’s Drop
Straightening up
Scott on the lip of Dante’s
Late boof before the crease
That feeling of jubilation at the base of the falls only confirms why I love this crazy sport.
Enjoy the video; it gives you a fare insight into the admin and preparation a kayaker must go through to find quality whitewater in Africa.
