Post by Peter Bakwin on Jun 21, 2016 11:08:22 GMT -5
AJ Calitz has the FKT, 6h39m52s, 18 June 2016
Wikipedia describes Fish River Canyon as follows:
"The Fish River Canyon (Afrikaans: Visrivier Canyon or Visrivier Afgronde, German: Fischfluss Canyon), is located in the south of Namibia. It is the largest canyon in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep."
The 90km Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail is further described as follows:
"The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is one of the more popular hiking trails in Southern Africa. The immense scale and rugged terrain has drawn many visitors from all over the world to experience what hiking or trail running the canyon can offer. Apart from the 2 kilometre descent west of Hobas and some optional short cuts, the trail generally follows 88 kilometres of the Fish River through to Ai Ais and is usually completed within 5 days. Although there are a number of footpaths through the canyon, the trail is not fixed leaving the hiker to decide where and how long to hike. There are no amenities on the trail and hikers have to carry all their needs with them."
Speed trips on the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail apparently go back to at least 1990. Wikipedia lists the progression of FKTs as below. Note that no women's FKTs have yet been reported.
A beautiful video of Ryan Sandes 2012 FKT run is here. And here's a report.
AJ Calitz in Fish River Canyon
AJ contemplating the record attempt (photo from fullstrides.co.za)
Wikipedia describes Fish River Canyon as follows:
"The Fish River Canyon (Afrikaans: Visrivier Canyon or Visrivier Afgronde, German: Fischfluss Canyon), is located in the south of Namibia. It is the largest canyon in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep."
The 90km Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail is further described as follows:
"The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is one of the more popular hiking trails in Southern Africa. The immense scale and rugged terrain has drawn many visitors from all over the world to experience what hiking or trail running the canyon can offer. Apart from the 2 kilometre descent west of Hobas and some optional short cuts, the trail generally follows 88 kilometres of the Fish River through to Ai Ais and is usually completed within 5 days. Although there are a number of footpaths through the canyon, the trail is not fixed leaving the hiker to decide where and how long to hike. There are no amenities on the trail and hikers have to carry all their needs with them."
Speed trips on the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail apparently go back to at least 1990. Wikipedia lists the progression of FKTs as below. Note that no women's FKTs have yet been reported.
| 13 July 1990 | Bruce Mathews & Ronnie Muhl | 11h42m |
| 16 August 2003 | Russell Paschke, Charlie du Toit, Coenraad Pool & Tommy van Wyk | 10h54m |
| 3 August 2012 | Ryan Sandes | 6h57m |
| 18 June 2016 | AJ Calitz | 6h39m52s |
A beautiful video of Ryan Sandes 2012 FKT run is here. And here's a report.
AJ Calitz in Fish River Canyon
AJ contemplating the record attempt (photo from fullstrides.co.za)