Otter Trail

I am hoping someone has hiked the otter fairly recently, and was wondering if any one could tell me how the crossing of the Bloukrans is at the present moment.

When we did it two years ago, the sea was very rough and the river very deep, and having my children with we had to opt for the escape route,a bit disappointing but rather safe than sorry i guess.And yes we did leave at 1:30 in the morning to make it at low tide at 6:00.

Hi anthony

Just completed my second Otter Trail last week. We had fantastic weather except for one day of light rain.

Made it to the Bloukrans in time for low tide at 8:44am, and decided to go for the 'route A' crossing recommended for low tide (the route crosses the river in a straight line nearest the ocean, and emerges in a small sandy cove). All members of the group made it across safely, many of them aged 50+ . At the 'route A' crossing, the water was was about thigh-deep the whole way across, with some small waves in the surf. Slight backwash, but the water was very shallow and this was manageable. I carried my backpack in my arms the whole way across, all walking, no swimming.

I'm sure you'll manage fine

That was at Spring low though! Yes?

Good point Frosty, I think the tide was unusually low. However, I have been in contact with a group who had completed the trail a few weeks before us - their crossing went well, with no rough seas, although they had to swim as the water was obviously deeper than the crossing last week. This group also had several inexperienced members but all managed well enough.

Sasquatch,
Thanks for the info that puts my mind at rest,we will be doing the Bloukrans three days after spring tide so that's not to bad i think, and low is at 12:00 so even better we can sleep in a bit.

Hi guys

I'm hiking the otter with a group of friends in March.

I was hoping that someone could give some advice on shuttle services from PE to the start at Stormsriver. After some googling I got quotes from:
• Fish Eagle Transport
• Gecko Tours
• Otter Trail Transfers

Are there any that I missed? What have you guys used?

The quotes I got are a little steeper than I expected. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

eras wrote: Hi guys

I'm hiking the otter with a group of friends in March.

I was hoping that someone could give some advice on shuttle services from PE to the start at Stormsriver. After some googling I got quotes from:
• Fish Eagle Transport
• Gecko Tours
• Otter Trail Transfers

Are there any that I missed? What have you guys used?

The quotes I got are a little steeper than I expected. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi eras
I know multiple people that will point to Gecko as their preferred supplier for various reasons, but the most telling one is (from this point it's 2nd hand info) that apparently there were incidents with some of the other providers where they were entrusted with equipment or gear for safekeeping, which got ransacked.
I am myself going on the otter in September and although we are self-supporting as far as the logistics go, if we need anything Gecko will be our first and only stop.

Hope you have fun out there and be safe!