Tugela River – Canyon

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Classic trip with both runnable and unrunnable waterfalls. Dam: Spioenkop, but tributaries feed the river below it. First major feature is Harts Hill Falls (11m, runnable) — take out on the rocky island nearest the left bank, or lower boats by rope and jump into the pool. At very high levels exit well above the falls to scout. Next: clean drop, then pull out on the left bank as the river starts dropping — this is the entrance to Little Augrabies (mandatory portage). Do not eddy-hop to the lip; take the long walk. 3m horse-shoe waterfall has possible lines but easily portaged. Weir at the pump house (portage left) — usable as access. Just after the weir, land on the mid-river island: falls totalling ~30m drop on either side — lower boats down the middle with ropes. Play hole 50m below. Then class 3-4 with occasional drops, play holes and waves at medium-high. Washing Machine (class 4+) is marked by big boulders right bank and in the river, followed by a sharp right turn — scout from the right, portage if in doubt. Liquidizer and other good rapids lead to a riverside camp on the right. Below: ~15km of flat water broken by class 3-4 rapids, notably Finger Rock and Sharkfin.

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