A 60 km ride to Dejen on the north side of the Gorge, then an 18 km descent followed by a 22 km climb (over 1600 metres / 5000 feet vertical) to Gohatsion on the south side. Camp is on the rim at the top on the site of a Canadian NGO aid site that TdA supports.
The morning ride has enough hills to be challenging.
There is major grain production in this area, worked by hand along the road.
Cattle are used to beat the grain - nothing is mechanized.
The wind blows away the chaff.
All this wheat has been stacked by hand and will be carried by hand probably to the roadside.
Approaching the Blue Nile Gorge - over 5000 feet deep - the photo hardly does justice to the perspective.
The descent is steep and dangerous. Heavy trucks climb at about 10 km/hr. Much of the road is dirt. In Ethiopia that means very very rough, huge rocks and loose gravel, not at all forgiving. We have seen many wrecked trucks and busses, probable victims of brake failure on the descent.
The scenery is spectacular with a lot of similarity to the Grand Canyon although not the narrow vertical-walled part. Probably the most attractive scene is the Blue Nile from the bridge, and we can't take photos - the bridge is considered critical infrastructure. A new bridge is under construction. Temperature at the bottom was in the 40s, but low teens at night at the top (about 10,000 feet).
The truck is climbing on a paved surface. In the background is the dirt and rock that makes up most of the descent.
Cliffs on the north side of the Gorge.
Rae and Ursula part way down the descent - that's why we're still smiling - we sure weren't on the way up the other side.
This bird and its partner entertained us with some impromptu aerobatics before landing in a field as we descended into the Gorge.
The Blue Nile Gorge - The bridge is hidden from view. The road on the other side winds all the way up to the plateau in the centre - one tough afternoon climb.
The cows know to get into the shade as afternoon temperatures reach the 40s in the gorge.
The descent toward the new bridge under construction.
The Blue Nile - looking east up the river. We weren't allowed to take photos while crossing the bridge for security reasons. One of our group was even ushered off the bridge when he stopped to wait for his wife. So don't let the word out about there being a bridge across the Blue Nile.
The Blue Nile Gorge - we came down from the very top of this photo and eventually through the narrower valley where you can see a small section of the road.
The Blue Nile Gorge - last look at the Nile.
The Blue Nile Gorge - steep climb on very rough road.
The Blue Nile Gorge - the ascent just never ends.
The Blue Nile Gorge - Bike mechanic Bucky is riding sweep today. As far as we are concerned, he's entitled to his king of the mountain jersey today.
The climb was mostly paved but there were a few kilometres of rocky dirt. It took us over four hours. Five weeks ago we crossed the Nile for the first time. Now we bid it farewell.
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