Suicide gorge
- 1stbelhartrooper
- Feb 10, 2018
- 2 min read
For thrill seekers who are not afraid to get wet. Just 2 hours from Cape Town hides a a route that tests both heart and bladder. Suicide Gorge challenges you to 12 kloof jumps, ranging between 4 and 21 meters high. Once you reach the section of the hike where the kloofing begins there is no turning back.
The natural water slide
After about 3km of hiking you will find the first kloofing pool. Before diving into that take about a 150m walk back through the bushes. There you will find this crazy fun natural water slide.
Practice your technique
Starting with a baby pool, about 3m high we practice our kloofing technique. The trick is to open your arms and legs when pivoting off the rock and tucking your arms and legs just before making contact with the water. As an additional barrier, you could cross your arms over your chest instead of tucking them on the side.Your elbows will then break the fall for you. The technique is crucial! Seriously! People die!
Use all pours and keep steady footing
The walk from one kloofing spot to the next is more of squeeze - crouch - crawl - scramble - walk. You need to watch where you are going and keep grip at all times.
Down to business
The baby - 8M jump
The mother - 16M jump
Unfortunately the videos don't quite capture just how high we are. Trust me when you are at that edge trying to find grip, balance and a flat enough surface it feels as if you are about to jump off Bloukrans bridge without the rope.
Getting down
And just when you think it is over an abseil down the ravine makes you grin your teeth, clench your fists and contract your remaining bit of stomach muscles.
This has been one of the most thrilling adventures to date. I encourage anyone with the confidence, to jump with extreme caution and with someone who knows the route well.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Cost of doing the kloofing is per person R325 (this does not include an experienced guide)
The route cover about 17km in total and take about 9 hours to complete.
It is strongly recommended that you carry a light wetsuit and wear shoes with good grip.
Everything you carry will get wet, carry a dry bag for non water proof items or leave them in your car.
Reserve office hours are 8am to 4pm weekdays only. The entrance gate is open from 8am to 7pm. A staff member is on duty seven days a week.
The route is open from 1 November to 30 April every year.
Saturdays and Sundays must be booked a month in advance.
Reservations (permits): +27 21 483 0190, email: reservation.alert@capenature.co.za
Group size: five groups of six people are allowed over weekends; groups of 12 to 15 allowed on weekdays.
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