We started out on a crisp Saturday morning (due to the age of our vehicle and its ‘reliable’ reputation) Johan had decided it was better we go ahead of the pack so that we did not hold up the others and meet on time in Matatiele. We left at 5.30 and started out on the four hour journey breaking, for coffee in Underberg and then onto our final destination where we would all meet. We arrived in good time and our old trusty Land rover did not give a moments trouble giving us time to meet with another early adventurer, Caroline, in her Suzuki. While we waited, we sat eating ice cream on a service stations tarmac driveway chatting about the weekend ahead.
The other drivers arrived in due course, four Toyotas (various shapes and sizes) a Mitsubishi and our Land Rover made up the balance of the group. 12 people and 7 vehicles in total.
Ronnie took us rookies under his wing and we joined the convoy heading up to Ongeluksnek Pass border post. I was told later that day it was named after some Griquas in the 1860’s going to settle in Kokstad, apparently an ox wagon had crashed on the pass leaving a person dead.. That was where the name had come from - a scary thought for me with little to no 4 x 4 experience. I was also pleased to hear that a landrover had been the first vehicle up the pass driven by Lionel Whittle in the early 1950’s.
My first impression of the group was daunting, it appeared to be made up of 4 x 4 veteran enthusiasts with lots of knowledge. On arrival at the Ongeluksnek pass I was forced to doubt our mental state of health before we had even started when the gatekeeper asked us, with a worried expression on his face, if we were sure we were going up the pass in our vehicles.
At the border post our passports were checked we were on our way.
With the wheels locked and the vehicles put into low range we started up this dodgy dirt track that did not look like it had seen a motor vehicle of any kind for quite some time.
We wound our way up the pass climbing over boulders and rocks that had me more than a little worried on many occasions.
Around the corners and up we went to the top of the pass, thankfully with no major hiccups. The gradient I was told is 1:9 average gradient, with a maximum gradient of 1:3. Leading to an interesting debate regarding the possible tarring of Sani Pass versus Ongeluksnek Pass.
The group of us stopped for lunch at the top of the pass near a large alpine lake, Lake Letsie surrounded by horses, sheep and donkeys grazing on the rich green grass. There bells softly clanging in the distance.
The crisp wind reminded me we were in Lesotho and I wondered how people survived in the winter months if this was early Autumn and everyone we had seen so far were already layered in blankets.
After a quick lunch we were almost on the road again but a leak was noticed in Ronnie’s Toyota. It was fluid from the power steering and this lead to a hunt for fluid on the route as we wound our way through the winding passes alongside rivers and canyons.
We did not quite make Mount Maroosi for our evening stop but found a lovely campsite at the base of Devils Staircase alongside a small mountain river. Camp was quickly set up and braai fires lit with allot of chatter around the fire side and an early night was had by all.
I awoke to bird calls and after a quick cup of tea we were packing up and warming the vehicles. Our lovely campsite was christened Jabu’s campsite.
Unfortunately that was the beginning of the end for us, Johan put his foot on the clutch and discovered we had none. After all the friendly bantering about Land Rovers the night before our Landi had taken some offence and decided to live up to the reputation.
Thankfully our new friends were there with good humor and a very kind Daryl clambered under the Landi to help Johan bleed the clutch.
Our troubles did not end there.. the Landi decided to remind everyone there was a “Land Rover” in the group and gave trouble a second time just moments after leaving. With lots of helpful advice and Daryl coming back to our rescue we finally got the show on the road.
The group headed into Mount Moorosi to get some brake fluid for us and Power steering fluid for the Toyota. Those that needed to fill up at a petrol station were pleased to find out that the diesel price a mere R8.40 per liter. We then headed up the road to our next destination.
The winding mountain passes and super steep hills lead to our undoing, the clutch decided it was not going to cooperate and after being filled and bled countless times the brake still fluid ran straight through. It was decided to try look for a spare at Quacha’s Nek to try keep the Landi on the road and find a little more fluid for the Toyota.
With great excitement we found a spare and Daryl for the 5th or 6th time that day came to our rescue. He replaced the faulty clutch slave surrounded by all the “nurses” he got stuck in and made the repairs. The patience and the kindness of the group was so appreciated as we are very new to the club, the good natured banter (normally not in our Landi’s favor), support and ‘never give up’ attitude was so appreciated.
Unfortunately for us our Landi did not want to play the game and despite the fix the clutch just did not feel right. We made the decision to limp home clutch free as our van would not be able to carry on through the challenging 4 x 4 pass we were heading towards the following day.
We said our good byes and headed out via Quachas Nek, using our ‘crash’ gears we headed home.
Lessons learned: “tow a spare Land Rover for spares.”
Thanks for an awesome adventure everyone, repairs and more maintenance have been started in preparation for the next trip.
