Baboons Pass Nov 2011

[Dionne]

So the time has finally arrived and this coming Thursday we are off to go and drive the Baboons Pass. All the vehicles have been serviced, rigged, and all the requirements purchased. The only thing left to do is to turn the key and tackle the pass. We will be 8 cars, 23 people (15 road builders and 8 drivers), all intermediate to advanced drivers with modified vehicles.

I have made a sticker for the vehicles to commemorate the occasion.

We will be sleeping at Ramabanta Trading Post Thursday evening and taking the Pass. first thing Friday morning. We will be taking books, pens and blankets for the local village where we will be sleeping the Friday evening. If all goes well we will finish Saturday and then spend the night at Maletsunyane waterfall, the highest single waterfall in the southern hemisfeer. Returning on Sunday.

If there is any last advice to be given, please feel free to do so.

[Henris]

Make 100% sure you don't get robbed when you overnight on the pass.

Enjoy and do a lot of road building. We will need it on the weekend of the 16th Dec.

[Dionne]

Make 100% sure you don't get robbed when you overnight on the pass.

Enjoy and do a lot of road building. We will need it on the weekend of the 16th Dec.

Thanks for the advice, Jean indicated that they slept in one of the villages and it was very safe. We will, however take the necessary precaution and lock the cars at night.

[petermoffat]

Is that area not off limits for the Roof?

[Dionne]

Is that area not off limits for the Roof?

No, they only close it the weekend before the Roof. We are still good to go.

[petermoffat]

Hmm, off-limits to competitors, so you okes should be fine, though maybe try to accept if someone chases you! And maybe use those 15 road builders to do some deconstruction behind you, let's not make it too easy for those okes!!!

[petermoffat]

No, they only close it the weekend before the Roof. We are still good to go.

Well then, get on your bike, and apart from all the pictures you will no doubt post here (hint, hint), how about some video clips??

[Jean Kotze]

Thanks for the advice, Jean indicated that they slept in one of the villages and it was very safe. We will, however take the necessary precaution and lock the cars at night.

Best to secure and lock all goodies away at night - just in case. On previous trips, where the guys stayed over along the trail, they made quite a few donations to the locals. On our trip we took some fish line and cans with for a bit of perimeter security alerts, should we have camped outside of the villages. Fortunately we did not require the use thereof.

PS. Check your chips packets, they tend to sometimes explode .... And ... make sure those packers and spotters are fit - that mountain air gets to you.

Have fun out there ... it is an awsome trip. Take time to stop and enjoy the scenery. If you get past the first three kilometers without suffering a nervous breakdown or loosing your smile, you will be just fine. Hehehehe

[Estee]

I have heard that some of the guys get cheeky and try an open the vehicle doors when overnighting on the pass, so keep them locked and your kit stowed inside. It looks as though there are enough of you so maybe the "Driver" Team members can post a 1 hour watch each since the road builders are going to need their sleep

[Jean Kotze]

Dionne,

Ignore Estee's comments. The drivers do all the hard work and need their rest. The road builders are responsible for:

1. Guiding
2. Building roads, packing rocks
3. Make sure the driver has snacks and cooldrinks
4. Set up camp
5. Sort out the showers
6. Make the fires and cook the food
7. Keep the drinks comming (at camp)
8. Put coals under the driver's chairs to keep the drivers warm
9. Make sure all is locked up and secure
10. Guard duty.
11. Take photos and vids.
12. Any other comfort the driver may require not mentioned above.

[Dionne]

That was my thoughts exactly, thank you for the good advice, I can not wait to hit the road on Thursday.

[Estee]

Jean, you forgot the "Digging the Long Drops" and the "Filling in of the Long Drops" from your list

[Henris]

....... "Digging the Long Drops" .........

This I would love to see. There is just rocks.

[Fluffy]

Well then, get on your bike, and apart from all the pictures you will no doubt post here (hint, hint), how about some video clips??

The last oke what posted a video of Baboons here got hung drawn a quartered - then things started getting ugly. Some PE oke in a Jeep.

[Engel]

The last oke what posted a video of Baboons here got hung drawn a quatered - then things started getting ugly. Some PE oke in a Jeep.

before that it was old guy Fawkes that were tortured like that!

[Anmos]

Hi Swarie,

Ek kan ook nie meer wag vir Donderdag nie. Als is amper gepak en reg om te ry. Ek moet nog net die "plastiek" van die Prado af haal wat ek nie op Baboons wil verloor nie. Dit lyk ook nie of daar veel reen gaan wees nie.

Sien julle Donderdag!

[NicoP]

All I can say is be safe and enjoy it!!

[Estee]

I am jealous but enjoy it and remember, its not a race

[Sampie]

That is a very exiting pass, it only needs to be enjoyed!
Good luck to everyone going, and remember the pic's

[Roughrider]

The last oke what posted a video of Baboons here got hung drawn a quartered - then things started getting ugly. Some PE oke in a Jeep.

The last oke was not hung out to dry, he just told it as it was in the middle of winter and snow, it was also the last oke who went up twice in two weeks to help rescue someones vehicle, we had an adventure at minus 7 degrees, ice and snow, twice in 14 days, no one bothered us, nobody stole from us and we felt as safe as can be, our video is for sale at any 4x4 outlet under the heading "Baboons" by Paul Raschenbaum, hope I got that right Paul. Good luck, try it in winter if you really want a serious challenge, doing it dry is a little bit of a let down, ask Sakkie. 3days in snow compared to one day dry! one at minus 7 and the other at 15 degrees, enjoy, looking forward to the report.