Umkomaas River – Deepdale to Hella-Hella

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35km pool-drop classic. Runnable at low and high water. At low levels the water channels cleanly rather than disappearing between rocks. High water for those who know the river — the gorge is largely inaccessible if things go wrong. Put-in: turn off the R617 2km from Lundy's Hill, drive 8km of good dirt to Deepdale station, walk through veld to the river. Take-out: right bank 50m before Hella-Hella bridge. Flat for some distance, then Deepdale Falls (15m total). Entry is tricky — do not attempt at low water. Two side-by-side drops; left is safer. Portage on the midstream island or right bank. Gorge below the falls: numerous grade 3-4 rapids (some long), pushing grade 5 at high water. Most eddy-scout; several need bank-scouting. Watch Short Drop and Long Drop — both lose height fast. Long Drop has nasty pour-overs; exit right to scout. Final kilometres flatten, but a natural weir near the end must be scouted — bad suck-back. Surf waves form below it at high water.

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