Baboons 5 to 8 October 2017
Posted: 16 Jan 2017 10:41
Hi everyone
This is the Baboons Thread
It is a mountain pass in Lesotho, and regarded the most difficult public road to drive on in Southern Africa.
In terms of difficulty, it is right up there. Even recently it has resulted in groups havign to abandon a vehicle to be recoverd at a later stage.
So definitely not for the fainthearted.
The proposed date to start this tour will be to leave Gauteng on 3 October (early morning).
Day 1: Getting to the overnight point just before the pass at Ramabantla.
Day 2: First day in the pass, about 8 hours of "sukkel" - (under dry clear conditions)
Day 3: Second day in the pass, about 6 hours of "sukkel"- (under dry clear conditions)
It will be slow going most of the way. But hopefully it will not rain or snow (this can still happen in October), in which case the "sukkel" time will increase exponentially.
Day 4: So if all goes well, and there are no breakdowns (typically broken propshafts, broken side shafts, CV joints etc), we should be able to head our way back to Gauteng on 6 October. However, from researching this trip, I know it is wise to make sure you can extend your break from work by a further day or two (just in case).
Hence the time is set out from 3 to 8 October.
To think about:
1) 2" suspension lift very important.
2) Rock sliders are critical.
3) Communications (especially if we need to break the group into two groups)
4) Lockers: Without lockers may be doable in a Patrol, but will need to consider the order of vehicles (without lockers) in case some need a bit of a pull at any critical point.
5) a Koevoet to help clear rocks with (note that your co-driver will get a real workout moving rocks on this trip).
6) Very warm clothes, and water proof clothes.
7) Spare cash, in case we need to negotiate with a tribal leader in case of emergency
8) Lots of spare food and water in case we get stuck
9) Lots of spare fuel to keep warm inside, with idling car, in case we get stuck in a blizzard ( I realise risk of this is low in October, but I have been told it can still happen at this time).
10) Prepare for unassisted camping - there are no facilities on the pass itself, and only small shrubs to hide behind for toilet.
11) Items typically associated with bush mechanics, such as blou draad. (if someone can bring a welder, that may be a good idea as well - I have seen videos of guys fixing / doing welding on their cars along the pass)
12) The usual stuff associated with 4x4 trips - high lift jack, recovery equipment etc.
List:
1) Alex Roux - Patrol
2) Errol Wilken - Patrol
3) Michael Steyn - Patrol
4) David Marais - Patrol
5) Dawie Pieterse (Ossewa) - Patrol
6) Steve Robinson (Biggles) - Patrol
7) Alex Botha - Patrol
8) Pierre Pille - Patrol
9) Pieter van As - Patrol
10) Francois Herbst - Recovery vehicle (Rubicon)
This is the Baboons Thread
It is a mountain pass in Lesotho, and regarded the most difficult public road to drive on in Southern Africa.
In terms of difficulty, it is right up there. Even recently it has resulted in groups havign to abandon a vehicle to be recoverd at a later stage.
So definitely not for the fainthearted.
The proposed date to start this tour will be to leave Gauteng on 3 October (early morning).
Day 1: Getting to the overnight point just before the pass at Ramabantla.
Day 2: First day in the pass, about 8 hours of "sukkel" - (under dry clear conditions)
Day 3: Second day in the pass, about 6 hours of "sukkel"- (under dry clear conditions)
It will be slow going most of the way. But hopefully it will not rain or snow (this can still happen in October), in which case the "sukkel" time will increase exponentially.
Day 4: So if all goes well, and there are no breakdowns (typically broken propshafts, broken side shafts, CV joints etc), we should be able to head our way back to Gauteng on 6 October. However, from researching this trip, I know it is wise to make sure you can extend your break from work by a further day or two (just in case).
Hence the time is set out from 3 to 8 October.
To think about:
1) 2" suspension lift very important.
2) Rock sliders are critical.
3) Communications (especially if we need to break the group into two groups)
4) Lockers: Without lockers may be doable in a Patrol, but will need to consider the order of vehicles (without lockers) in case some need a bit of a pull at any critical point.
5) a Koevoet to help clear rocks with (note that your co-driver will get a real workout moving rocks on this trip).
6) Very warm clothes, and water proof clothes.
7) Spare cash, in case we need to negotiate with a tribal leader in case of emergency
8) Lots of spare food and water in case we get stuck
9) Lots of spare fuel to keep warm inside, with idling car, in case we get stuck in a blizzard ( I realise risk of this is low in October, but I have been told it can still happen at this time).
10) Prepare for unassisted camping - there are no facilities on the pass itself, and only small shrubs to hide behind for toilet.
11) Items typically associated with bush mechanics, such as blou draad. (if someone can bring a welder, that may be a good idea as well - I have seen videos of guys fixing / doing welding on their cars along the pass)
12) The usual stuff associated with 4x4 trips - high lift jack, recovery equipment etc.
List:
1) Alex Roux - Patrol
2) Errol Wilken - Patrol
3) Michael Steyn - Patrol
4) David Marais - Patrol
5) Dawie Pieterse (Ossewa) - Patrol
6) Steve Robinson (Biggles) - Patrol
7) Alex Botha - Patrol
8) Pierre Pille - Patrol
9) Pieter van As - Patrol
10) Francois Herbst - Recovery vehicle (Rubicon)
