Otter Trail alone??

Hey everyone,
I wanted to know your opinion for those of you who have done the otter trail or who know people who have.
There is a spot for one person left on the famed otter trail. I would really like to hike it, butI am not sure whether I should go on my own. Is this the type of trail where I am liekly to meet others to hike with or would I be on my own most of the time? I am worried about hiking alone...getting lost..accidents etc...
-On a separate note, let me if you happen to be going on the December 25th trail OR if you will be traveler on the Garden Route in end of December and would like to meet up/coordinate!

Thanks!!!!!

Ive just read the 'Otter Trail' web site, and you will be walking with an organised party, so you should be accompanied all of the time ! If you go for it ? Will you report on it on TT ?

Go for it Michaella. To my great regret I fell ill a few days before I was due to do the Otter Trail. I believe it is great. You will be part of the group.

The Otter Trail accommodated 12 hikers at a time. If you are taking the sot for one more person, you will be hiking with 11 others!

It's a wonderful trail and I recommend it wholeheartedly. You won't regret it.

Hi Michaella,
I'm travelling in SA at the end of december and I've heard about the Otter trail. I've already been to Nature's Valley but didn't make the trail which is wonderful apparently...i'd like to do it this year but don't know which group I could join. Could you explain me how you are travelling and I'd be glad to do the hike with you eventually?
Cheers,
Mathilde

Hey everyone
Thanks for the responses!
For those who asked, the Otter trail is a 5 day/4 night trail in Tsitiskamma park. For mor info go to http://www.sanparks.org/parks/tsitsikamma/tourism/otter.php
It can be booked up to 11 months in advance so that unless there are last minute cancellations or randomly unpopular dates it is tough to get a spot. I think if you check availability you may be able to find spots open here and there but I defintely jumped at teh opportunity when I saw that one spot open so soon. Afterwards, I began to get nervous about hiking by myself and so I posted here...

Technically 12 people can hike at a time. and it is possible I will be with a group. However, I am not sure to what extent it's a cohesive group or just everyone on their own (they recommend people hike in small groups).
Anyway, I will most likely go for it and hope for the best. I will report when I return.
If anyone else is on that trip let me know!
Peace!
Michaella

Hi Michaella

I've walked it 3 times, and loved it each time.
All 3 have been with our own group - first time 4 people, second time I booked all 12 places, and with a party of 6 the last time.

If there'd been a single person when we walked it, I would certainly have asked them to join our group, and I'm sure when you walk, the others would do the same with you - especially at Christmas time!
The only problem will be your walking pace. Some people rush as fast as they can, and then get to the overnight hut and sit around, whereas we dawdled, and spent most of the day on the trail, snorkelling and swimming.
Your speed would obviously then be dictated by those you join.

It could be quite lonely on your own and you don't want to cross the Bloukrans River at high tide on your own either. The last time we crossed it, it was spring high tide, and some in our party really battled, despite having others help them. The incoming tide can be very strong. If you're likely to cross at high tide, take a large plastic bag - called a survival bag, put your backpack in that, and then blow it up and tie the top closed. It's a lot of blowing, but your pack then floats across the river, and it acts as bouyancy for you as well.

Meeting the others before the start could be a problem, as there is no co-ordinated starting place - everyone goes when they're ready, but you do all sit down (in your own time, usually the afternoon before) and watch a movie explaining the trail before you start. Maybe you could try and get hold of the others on the trail, here, or ask at the reception where they might be staying, if you get there a day or 2 before the walk.
You will obviously meet up with everyone at the first over night huts, although having someone to help you on the first day would be a big plus, as it consists of a lot of boulder-hopping. There are other spots on the trail where a bit of help will also make your life a lot easier.

I see you're on the SANParks Forum as well.
Here is a very good report (the best I've read) on the Otter Trail from there. Interestingly, there's a bit in the report about a single person who walked the Trail. Here's a clip ".....a lone figure came walking towards us and introduced himself as Stèphan Kehry. For a brief second I wondered if it wouldn't be better for him to sleep in the other hut where there were only two hikers, but we started a conversation that soon became an almost instant friendship..."

Go do it!
If things don't look good, and you're miserable and lonely, you can always turn back, but if you don't go, you'll never experience the stunning beauty of that coast.

Give me a shout if you'd like more info, and if we don't hear from you again, please let us know how it went!
It's a great part of the world. Enjoy it.

Cheers
Wiggie.