the small creek is waist deep, depending on your height
going back we have to wade through the same creek
but soon the cold water is biting the ankles
further out the walking gets easier
and then we are on our way. Near the coast the mud is trying to eat your footware
we made it safely back to shore
Wadlopen: mudflat hiking off the coast near Wierum
The
Wadden Sea is a stretch of shallow waters between the
Frisian Islands and the northern coast of the Netherlands, Germany
and Denmark.
It is an intertidal zone, meaning that at low tide parts of it fall dry with mudflats and fast streaming tidal
gullies.
The area has a high biodiversity with all kinds of birds and two species of seal feasting on fish, crustaceans
and worms.
Since 2009 the Wadden Sea is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A popular local sport is to venture out
on the Wadden when the tide is low. It is called wadlopen, or
mudflat hiking. This is not without danger because of the ever
changing landscape. Fast flowing tidal creeks can become treacherously deep and you can easily get lost. So an experienced guide
is mandatory.
In May 1986 we staggered out on the wadden near
Wierum. The mud was sucking on our shoes and at times
we had to wade waist-deep through the cold water but it certainly was fun.
getting ready, sturdy attached footware is essential
waiting on the sea-dike for the low tide
and it only gets worse
and then the refuge is in sight. Comes in handy if you miscalculated the tide
but finally the coast is near and the sucking mud is still there
