Umzimkulu River – Thrombosis Gorge
Umzimkulu River – Thrombosis Gorge · kwazulu-natal
Grade
V
Length
1) 8km 2) 25km
Duration
1) 2-4 hours, depending on amount of scouting. 2) 6-7 hours
Type
pool drop
About
Thrombosis Gorge, or "Thrombi", is one of the most popular technical sections in the country. It includes Thrombi Falls, an 11m waterfall that is probably the most regularly run waterfall in South Africa. The hardest rapids are the first five or six after the put-in. All are short, easy to scout, and separated by decent pools. A pair of long technical rapids follow, which can be scouted by eddy-hopping. A natural weir comes next — scout, though it is runnable. A solid class 4 rapid then forms the entry to the 11m waterfall. Exit on the left above the rapid and walk down to scout. The fall has been run many times but has nearly ended badly for several paddlers; never feel pressured, and if running it, stay clear of the left. Most paddlers take out at the waterfall via a long uphill hike ascending the slope on river right. If skipping the waterfall, paddle upstream about 100m from the rapid above the falls and exit on river right to begin the climb. This take-out sits on private farmland and must not be used without arrangement with the farmer. The long section delivers some of the best rapids on the entire stretch soon after the waterfall. All are runnable but scout the larger ones. Scenery on the second section is excellent and plenty of play-waves are found throughout. Detailed trip report on Adrian Tregoning's blog: Thrombosis Gorge – The Seldom Run Full Section.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
Permission from farmer at first take-out