Bushboysteve
Member Since: 02 Sep 2008
Location: North west & Jhb
Posts: 75
  
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On the Friday, the bikers were riding Baboons pass and we were to try Jockstrap pass, meeting them at the top of baboons pass (where it meets the main road again) for a braai. This proved to be more challenging and we ended up a little stuck for a while after having tried a more challenging line over an obstacle, but after a little work with a spade and a bit of rock packing we were away. But then... we had to turn back as the track was completeley washed away. as we had to meet the others for lunch we couldnt spend time trying to find an alternate route (which may have been possible as there were lots of tracks heading in different directions) More to explore next time 
We met the bikers at the top of baboons but it was too windy by the main road for a braai so We headed up the track and found a natural hollow which was protected and had an awsome braai of boerie rolls and burgers. The track was very narrow with wash aways and deep gullys so on the way there I took great care with someone guiding me through the worst bits, which of course mad it easy. On the return trip, we didnt bother and as a result we ended up in one of these gullys   . After much rock packing we got out with nothing more than our pride injured.
After returning to camp we decided to try a short track which headed straight down to the river. This turned out to be a steep rocky decent with a seep line flowing onto it turning the substrate to a nice black  smelling mud followed by a crossing of the Makhaleng river. While not exactly deep, this was at least a worthy river crossing with water up to the bumper. Ithink however this is the lowest the river has been in a long time so it would be a very different prospectr after a bit of rain. After playing about climbing in and out of the river we decided to take the same muddy rocky track back which tuned out to be more tricky. After a few failed attempts, we decided to give it a bit more "welly" and this worked superbly.......with black smelly mud flying every where.
On Saturday we drove to Semonkong to see the waterfall which was spectacular (Ill definitely have to bring Swambo and kids here). By now we had picked up a straggler from the bikers (his bike had siezed on baboons so decided to join us for his 1st ever 4x4 adventure,). We had a look on T4A and spotted the track labled as "bikers slide your pass" and decided this was a must to try at least. It started out rather vaugely and we followed as closely as possible to the GPS. after a while it turned into a recognizable track.... which went off on a different direction than what was displayed on the GPS... which seemed to head off into some fields so we followed the trck wich tured out to be load sof fun. after reaching a dead end we turned around and headed back to the river for a picnic braai under the willow trees. Just perfect. Before heading back to watch the rugby (go Sharks  ) we drove up the river bed which was a blast! fine sandy gravel surface with shallow water, so we managed to clean the previous days mud off 
Well the next day we packed up and headed home safely.
Lessons learned: Although going on your own is fun, it would have been much better with 2 vehicles or more
Tyres held up ok considering the terrain and the wheelspining that occured on the muddy rocky hill, but tyre pressure is everything. (no side wall damage but some chipping and shallow cuts to the tread)
If your line is incorrect, rather retreat and try again.
In Lesotho, when you see a bus /truck coming, get off the road  Almost ended up at the bottom of the valley the fast way and this was the closest I got to damaging the car with a nasty rock scrape on the air resivior Bus
Ill post some pics to my gallery, havent figured out yet how to post pics in my text. Also more pics to come from My brother in law who has a better camera and took more shots. Of course we'll make it... were in a landy!
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 29th Oct 2008 8:19 am |
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