What's Inside?
* Tours Updates
* Signs of the times
* Wild Coast Tour - Day 10
* Swartberg Tour - Day 3
* Garden Route Tour - Day 1
TOURS UPDATES
Novice / Intermediate 4x4 Training Day. Bookings are open for this popular event. The Grabouw tracks have dried out enough for us to run this course on Sunday, 24th September. Tickets are going fast. The course will entail an explanation of how drive trains, low range and diff locks work, as well as the various techniques required to drive in soft sand, mud and rocks. We will also explain standard and kinetic recoveries as well as self recovery. Each driver receives a 4x4 driving manual as well as a Certificate of Completion. At time of writing, there were 4 places open.
Book online here:
- 4x4 TRAINING GRABOUW
- MOUNTAIN KINGDOM TOUR (LESOTHO). We are proud to announce that we are able to offer two tours to Lesotho during April to accommodate the demand. Online bookings will open during next week.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
We've been working on this project for almost a year, getting all the technical and legal bits into place and have now launched the crowd-funding project to replace some of the missing and damaged signs. The first sign we are targeting is the sign at Kaaimans River Pass between George and Wilderness. If you want to contribute anonymously or publicly with any amount within your budget, you can do so via the link below. We have already had a donation of R10,000, so we are halfway there. Businesses making donations will receive publicity via our social media platforms.
The first five signs that have been given priority are the Kaaimans River Pass (N2); Karatara Pass (7 Passes Road); Hoogekraal Pass (7 Passes Road); Hexrivier Pass (N1) and the old Du Toits Kloof Pass (R101). As each sign reaches the target amount, the next pass will be added until this segment of the refurbishment project is completed. We will be using the original manufacturers: Otto Signs in Cape Town to complete the manufacture and installation.
MAKE A DONATION / CROWD FUNDING
WILD COAST TOUR - DAY 10
This penultimate day of the tour is the toughest day in terms of technical driving and distance covered - a whopping 240 km on mostly bad Transkei roads. Our group was up and ready to leave the comforts of Kob Inn for our main point of interest for the day - The Collywobbles.
We got the drone up at Kob Inn and got some good footage.
We called for an early breakfast and 0800 departure time as on previous tours, we have often returned in the dark, which is not ideal. Our route took us to Willowvale where most vehicles refuelled, then we took the fabulous new road into the interior with its smart bridges and cuttings. The new road peters out after about 25 km and then it was back to the standard bumpy and rutted roads as we followed the back route to Collywobbles along a spine of a long ridge formed by the watershed of the Nqabara and Mbashe rivers.
Things were going smoothly, until we reached the Gotyibeni Pass. We were only a few hundred metres from the summit, when we found our path blocked a Quantum taxi with a trailer carrying a significantly large bull. The taxi had lost traction and began rolling backwards, resulting in the trailer jacknifing. We either had to assist or find an alternative route. The latter was not an option and in any case, we always help anyone in distress so I called for assistance from the team. We had no shortage of smart people on this tour.
What a load of bull! / Photo: MPSA Tour Group
After an assessment of the situation and keeping well clear of the horns of the distressed bull, we got the taxi driver, Lucas, and his two assistants to clear away the bush sufficiently to get the MPSA Land Cruiser through and in front of the taxi. We hitched him up with a standard tow strap, which was complicated as the taxi had no recovery points. That meant having to slide under the taxi and find something solid to attach the shackle to.
As we started the tow, the trailer unhitched itself from the taxi and started sliding downhill towards the precipice, but with some luck on our side the bull got a fright and shifted its considerable weight backwards, resulting in the back of the trailer slamming into the ground and coming to a screeching, dusty stop.
Plan B was initiated and we towed the taxi without the trailer up the hill and out of the way. We then reversed back down the hill to the trailer, but trying to hitch it to the Cruiser's tow hitch was a singularly bad idea with the bull lurching around on the trailer. I could visualise people with missing fingers! Instead we attached the tow strap to the front of the trailer and deployed Lucas' two helpers to try and balance the trailer on its single axle, which turned out to be a futile idea as well. We got the trailer to the top of the hill with much snorting and foot stamping from the bull and the back of the trailer being dragged unceremoniously across the gravel.
The last part involved getting the trailer back onto the taxi's tow hitch. Mission accomplished and a very relieved Lucas was close to tears with gratitude. Later that day we passed the same taxi in Willowvale with the trailer devoid of the bull. It had obviously been safely delivered.
Next edition: Collywobbles in all its glory.
SWARTBERG CLASSIC TOUR - DAY 3
The third day of this tour was designated a rest day, where guests get to take a break from the driving and do their own thing. This included going for a hike, a drive to the Gamkapoort Dam (which was 100% full), a nature/game drive with Sarah from Bosch Luys Kloof in a game viewing vehicle, or simply lazing at the chalets enjoying the peace and quiet available in such abundance in this isolated valley.
We also offer to guide our group on one of the 4x4 trails. Six drivers put their hands up, making it seven with the lead vehicle. We first enjoyed a leisurely and wholesome breakfast and set off at 09.30 on a picture perfect Karoo winter's day. The route itself plus the drive up and down the Bosluiskloof should have taken no more than three hours. Little did we know that we were in for an adventure of note.
Bruce, the GM of the lodge, was a little worried about the state of the route and offered to get up early and drive the route himself to ensure our group would be OK. That's the sort of service one gets at Bosch Luys Kloof. As we were ascending the pass, Bruce was already on his way back down. We stopped for a quick chat and he informed me that the route was doable, but a little rutted in places, but that in his opinion we would all manage just fine.
Until we meet again / Photo: MPSA
I have done this 4x4 track a number of times before and never rated it more difficult than a Grade 2, so it was with a fairly relaxed mindset that I led the group eastwards along the route prophetically named "To hell 'n back". The route follows the original oxwagon track that traders from Ladismith used to meet the famers from Die Hel (Gamkaskloof) at a spot named "Wedersiens" (Until we meet again). It's nothing more than a fairly level area cleared of bush, just big enough for oxwagons to be turned around. The farmers would climb the very steep zig zag footpath known as 'Die Leer' with their pack-mules laden with fruit, nuts and vegetables and meet the Ladismith traders at this spot to barter and trade. After business had been completed they would greet each other with a friendly wave and say 'Wedersiens'
We were at that stage completely out of mobile signal range and down the worst part of the trail approaching a long sloping valley of rhenosterbos clad veld and only about 2 km from the turn-around point on the western rim of the Gamkaskloof Valley. I drove through a mildly muddy section and on to a harder surface. The Ford Raptor (Beukes Willemse) behind me followed without any problems as did the Toyota Prado (Ken Goodenough).
Then the radio call came through from the vehicle behind me - Michelle and Kevin Heyes in their Toyota Hilux DC.
"Robby, I'm stuck"
At first I thought she was joking as I had just driven through that section without any issues at all. I told her I was on my way and turned 'Thirsty Kirsty' around on the two spoor track (with some difficulty) to drive the few hundred metres back to the casualty. There was the Hilux lying on its belly, well and truly stuck in deep, cloying mud. Behind it were the two Land Rover Discovery's also badly stuck and leaning over precariously to the right. One of them was at such an acute angle that the driver was unable to get out of his vehicle.
The Hilux going nowhere! / Photo: MPSA
And so started a massive recovery operation that would last the entire day and into the night, involving almost every vehicle in the convoy as well as two 4x4 tractors. Mother Nature had tricked us into believing the road was fine, when in fact the soil about 6 inches below the gravel was super saturated with water. It was going to be a long day!
Next Episode: Drama, drama, drama. Stuck in the middle with you.
PODCAST
We chat about the dramatic third day of the Swartberg Tour having to perform 12 recoveries and leaving a 4x4 tractor stuck in the mountains.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN (23 mins)
GARDEN ROUTE TOUR - DAY 1
This popular tour took place a few weeks ago starting in Vanwyksdorp and ending at the Storms River Rest Camp. The weather mainly played ball as guests savoured the Garden Route over a wide variety of interesting places.
Our meet and greet took place at one of our favourite venues, the Rooiberg Lodge on a very cold and wet day. With all the guests checked in showered, we held our drivers briefing in the conference room, then enjoyed a hearty meal in the main lodge where a nice big fire and sufficient wine got the group relaxed.
The next morning we departed at 0900 in light drizzle. The good news was that we would experience very little dust. Our route took us past Vanwyksdorp, then south to the Langeberge and a direction switch into the east via beautiful Karoo farms surrounded by wild flowers. Fields of green wheat and bright yellow canola set against grey mountains set the mood for a great day behind the wheel.
We traversed the Jan Muller Pass, which straddles the Gouritz River, which was flowing strongly but the bridge was just clear of the water, which came as something of a relief. You don't want to be messing with the Gouritz River in flood!
Light rain accompanied us during our traverse of Cloetes Pass / Photo: MPSA
The drizzle came and went as we tackled Cloetes Pass, before descending towards Herbertsdale - a prosperous dairy farming district. Before the village, we took a left and drove the back road to Bonniedale and Gondwana Game Reserve. Surprisingly the roads were OK, despite the huge amount of rain that had fallen in the area. There were clear signs of recent roadworks trying to open the roads after the recent floods.
Eight Bells Inn beckoned for a well timed tea break.The inn has such a rich history that makes a visit mandatory. The massive oak tree in the parking area is one of the oldest oaks in the area.
Interesting history at the 8 Bells Inn.
The rain continued as we ascended Robinson Pass and predictably eased off after the summit as we cruised in the direction of Oudtshoorn, which we were able to bypass via a complex network of gravel farm roads all sporting lovely displays of flowers. We had never see the Karoo looking as green and colourful as this before. It prompted us to call for a lunch break in the middle of a plateau surrounded by flowers.
After lunch, the Outeniqua Pass was treated with respect as thick mist had enveloped the upper reaches, reducing speed to a crawl and of course the rain increased steadily as we dropped through the cloudbase.
We successfully managed to keep the convoy together through the city of George, arriving at our overnight destination - the Wilderness Hotel in good time. We had booked our group in for dinner at the nearby Ilali Restaurant, where we spent a most enjoyable evening. Congratulations were in order for this eatery, which displayed good hands-on management, just enough personal touches (like an MPSA menu), good food and a warm fire.
Next Edition: Old Oxwagon Route
FEATURED PASS
This thoroughly enjoyable and fairly long pass of 19 km straddles the Vreysrant Mountains between Herbertsdale and Vanwyksdorp. The road is generally well maintained to a high standard, despite the gravel surface. The northern section can get quite narrow at times, but should present no problems providing speed limits are adhered to. The road was realigned to improved geometric standards in 1920.
* * C L O E T E S P A S S * *
Trygve Roberts / Editor
More than cleverness, we need kindness ~ Charlie Chaplin
