Burma Road Portage
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Difficulty: Severe |
| Distance from start of the stage : 13.9km Lon 30.908005 Lat -29.743153 |
Spectators/Seconds: Yes – from the north Portage option: Optional |
The notorious portage that cuts out a loop in the river, and if run hard, will make crucial second and perhaps minutes for the very strong runners over the paddlers.
It starts with a narrow path through the bush, as the paths gets steeper and steeper. From the top the city is in sight as the portage opens out and the descent uses roads back down to the river where you put in just after Five Fingers rapid.
This is a brutal portage only for the serious competitive runners, those nursing broken boats or if the uMngeni is very big, for those not confident in their ability in wild water
VIDEO 1200 x 600
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Make sure you do your homework here as you can get lost quite easily here.
It’s a tough portage so try drag down the hills wherever possible. If you do run it then make sure you take the time to take in the view at the top of the hill because at this point you’re an hour away from the finish and its the first time you can see Durban and the finish. |
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If you’re competitive and are even semi strong in the legs still then I’d suggest portaging but if you’ve never seen it before then definitely paddle.
The take out is very easy on the left bank but there are so many tracks and intersections so know your route. |
