Snow chasing - Drakensburg 16 July 2010

[davejones]

Thanks Russ - I saw your pictures of the snow in the Matroosburg, looked at the positive signs of snow on http://www.weathersa.co.za, and at about 5pm on Thursday last week decided I was heading to Lesotho once more, to go snow hunting.

Got home, explained the situation to my girlfriend, who decided there was no way she'd risk freezing to death in lesotho, and there's no way she'd be caught weeing in the snow. SWAMBO indeed, so we went through the drakensburg instead, and with no planning at all, perhaps the safest bet after all!

The route - turned off from harrismith to bergville, stayed over-night on Friday at little switzerland after stopping for the sunset over Sterkfontein Dam, Saturday we turned off just past Begville to the road to draycott, hugging the dirt roads as close to the moutains and possible, which takes you past catherdral peak, giants castle, kamberg, loteni, and you pop out at Himeville.

Proceeded up Sani Pass (after flipping a coin whether or not to travel futher south towards Swartberg or stay in the area), had some gluwine, walked around a bit, and head back down to overnight at the Sani Pass hotel, and then back to JHB on Sunday, although we took dirt roads all the way through to Mooi River, winding our way through Bulwer, Boston, Impendle, Nottingham Road, Rosetta then Mooi River.

All in all, a wonderful trip, definitely one of the most beautiful parts of the South Africa, it really doesnt matter what time of year. There was no snow however !!! Turns out the cold front blew out to see on Thursday night before making it to the Drakensburg

The Patrol behaved very well, except that I noticed a slight clattering sound from the rear right hand side of the truck when driving above 55km/h on roughish parts of the dirt roads, need to lift the Patrol and see what it could be (could be the rear bumper too).

I loved the dirt roads, think I was born to leave a dirt trail on this earth

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[Russ Kellermann]

Snow or no snow you had a great time on the spur of the moment, and thats what i love to do, impromptu trips always have the best results dont they, nice one. Seeing Sani Pass sign at the top reminded me of last year when i cycled up and down on my mountain bike in one day. toughest ride i've ever done i reckon. I had never been there before so underestimated its difficulty to a degree. i got to the top, had a 2 beers and some grub and fell asleep on the pub floor for 1.5 hours. then rode back down. When i did it though it was green green green with rivers and water and mud etc, looks completely different in the winter hey!

[ricster]

stunning mate.... Did this trip this time last year in my SANI..... with snow and ICE !!!!!!!

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I'll do that trip again in an instant !!!!

[Jules]

Ricster you have my permission to take IRON MAIDEN for a spin in the snow , you will enjoy it immensly

Jules