Chris Meistre

We had to setup our yearly 4×4 Night Challenge that will take place in December.  This competition normally takes place from 17:00 until the next morning around 03:00.  It involves driving along a 4×4 route and doing little events at certain points and answering questions along the way.  Doing it at night just adds a different type of excitement to it.  You get tired, you struggle to see things clearly, and that forces you to concentrate harder.  Our event last year was great and we had a lot of excited adventurers join us.

So on Friday afternoon we were to spend the next 24 hours driving and setting up the route.  It was also decided beforehand that instead of taking the “normal” way home after setting up everything, we’d take on a 4×4 trail that will lead us home that we haven’t done before.

Bernadette and I also decided we’ll take along our little dachshund on our adventure to try and get him used to driving around with us.  Normally he is very hyper in the car, but I figured after an hour or so of driving he’d calm down.  Haha, were we in for a surprise.

At around 15:00 we met at Padlangs and had a nice lunch there.  Tux, the dachshund, was very active while we were sitting there.  We tried to keep him calm because we knew he was just excited and confused as to why he is coming along with us.

From Padlangs we started on our route.  I had let down the tyres to assure a smoother ride, and was glad to see I was right when we hit the first piece of gravel road that we would take.  Although the road was corrugated and full of holes, the ride was relatively smooth because of the flatter tires.  Barto mentioned on the radio that from here on, we’d probably only see cars about in 24 hours.  This is something that made us feel at ease.

At our first stop Bernadette wanted to first put on Tux’s leash before letting him run around the mountain top where we had stopped.  She was a bit weary when I said we won’t be putting it on, and I could see her very worried look as I took him out the car and let him run around.  He is quite well behaved and listens to us when we call him, so she was soon at ease.

We stopped quite often for the rest of the night to get things to ask the people to do in the competition and set up questions for them to answer.  Each time Tux would get out and run around with us.  When it started to become really dark, we had difficult seeing him at times because he is pitch black.  But you could always hear him sniffing somewhere.

During most of the ride though, you could see he wanted to sleep, but really wanted to stay awake and not miss any of the action.  This led to him whimpering for long stretches at a time.  At around 2am we pulled into our camp site.  I was surprised to see other people in the camp site, because the owners told us we’d be the only people there.  We were a bit concerned because Tux would bark at any strange noises or movements.  Luckily he was quiet.

We knew we’d get to the campsite when we were tired, so we didn’t bring our camping gear.  Instead we opted to just have a mattress in the back on the bakkie.  This proved to be quite funny because the mattress was too big for the back and had to be scrunched up a bit in order for us to lie down.  There was just enough space for Bernadette and myself to fit in next to each other and Tux laid at our feet.  Soon we were all asleep.  I was woken up by Tux’s growling.  I think he must’ve woken up and wondered where the hell he was.  I then got him to lie on top of me and we fell asleep like that.  We were woken up by birds chirping a few hours later.

We got cleaned up and ate before heading off home happy that we had setup the event and we had enough to keep people busy for a number of hours.  As we decided beforehand, we headed towards the 4×4 trail that would take us in the direction of home.  From the distance and what I’ve heard other people say about the trail, I thought a max of 2 hours and we’d be done.  I forgot that you shouldn’t listen when people talk about 4×4 trails… it’s not always accurate

It ended up being about 4 hours driving, but it was through one of the most mountainous and beautiful areas we’ve been through.  For most of the way a 4×2 would get through, but at times 4×4 would be needed.  Bernadette drove for most of the time to allow her arms to rest a bit because Tux was in her arms on the passenger seat for the whole stretch of driving the previous day.  At one point Tux and I got out and we walked a long way ahead of the vehicles.  He enjoyed this very much.

As soon as we hit the tar road, he was a lot calmer and actually fell asleep for the way home.  I think he must’ve been quite tired, because he slept for most of Saturday and Sunday.

We decided to go and have a look at a 4×4 trail we always drive past in and out of the Baviaanskloof.  It’s called Twee Water 4×4.  I haven’t been able to find any information on it, which made it appeal to me even more.

When we arrived at 12:30 to meet the trail owner, he was still about 20 minutes away, so we decided to let down tires in the meanwhile.  As we didn’t know what the terrain or trail is like we decided to play it safe by having the maximum traction if we do need it.

He arrived at around 13:00 and after explaining to us briefly what the trail would entail we headed off into the kloof.  At the first entrance he took us, the road had been blocked by about 3-4 trees that have fell into the road.

A few trees in the way

He would clear it up later so we decided to enter the trail in a different entrance and do it a bit differently.  The first part of the trail is a rocky uphill, and once we were on top I could see this can going to be an interesting trail.

Looking around you down into the valley and on the sides of the mountains in the distance you could clearly see how the trail dips down into the valley and rises out again a number of times.  The terrain was quite sandy with a lot of loose rocks all over the places.  On most of the uphills it took careful wheel placing to find the grip to get up.

All the friends

We had the most amazing views over the area.  One the one side we could see the Gonjah 4×4 Trail going and on the other side part of the Osseberg 4×4 Trail.

At one hill Barto tried to go up in the Triton, but because of the deep ruts he couldn’t get up.  I think the trail owner was a bit worried when Barto attempted it.  The next time we get to the trail though, we’ve been told the ruts will be filled up with rocks to allow us to get through.  I am sure though that Barto would’ve been able to make it if he didn’t have to consider the people sitting on the back of the bakkie.

Barto on the hill

The owner went to go show us the camp site as well, which looks very neat and tidy.  They even have a donkey for hot water and flushing toilets.

The trail took us about 2 hours to drive, and we estimated that with a group of 8-10 vehicles it will take around 4 hours to complete.  I can really recommend going on this trail.  There are a few sections that are a bit overgrown, but we were assured this would be sorted out by the time we bring a group of vehicles with EC Offroad Adventures in September.

Just before going down

Going down

The views

Barto came up with the idea to go and do Offcamber Adventure‘s 4×4 Trail at night time again.  We’ve done it previously, as well as other 4×4 trails at night, and for some reason it just appeals to us very much.  It all started a while back when we just decided to try it to see what it’s like.

It appeals to me because I like doing things that are considered abnormal, or that other people are scared of trying.  It’s adds more excitement to our already exciting lives

So with Barto going and me not being able to resist him, he decided to invite some of EC Offroad Adventurers with us.  I’ll be honest when I say I didn’t think that anyone would actually join us.  I was surprised when people started contacting us showing interest in what we’re going to do.  Great!  More people that are adventurous

At the end we had 4 vehicle joining us this evening.  Some old and familiar faces, and some new ones as well.  None of the people joining us had ever done this before, and you could see everyone was keen to do it.

Barto drove the trail earlier in the day to check for any problem areas, and decided that we’ll do only a section of the trail.  Being the first time for people doing a trail in the dark, we didn’t want it to be too hectic.

At just before 20:00 the 6 vehicles (colt v6 double cab , colt 2.8 diesel clubcab, triton 3.2 clubcab, triton 3.2 double cab, land rover defender 110, pajero 3.2 lwb) left and headed for section 4.  By this time it was already pitch black and very cold.  My brother had joined me on the trip as a co-driver, and he seemed very excited to be going on a trip.  It was nice having someone there that doesn’t know very much about 4x4ing asking questions and listening to me rambling on about all the stuff we do and why we do it.  It was also nice having someone with me that opens and closes the gates for a change

The first section takes us down into the valley and towards the first river crossing.  The last descent into the valley has a few holes that have caused a step-like affect in the road, with a big hole at the bottom of the valley that is almost hidden from view.  We stopped before going down to make sure the vehicles only went down 1 at a time with Barto showing at the bottom where the hidden hole is and I helped the people at the top to take the right line over the steps to avoid hitting their vehicles.  Everyone went down without incident.  The next stop was at the descent into the river bed for the first river crossing.  Here we got out again to explain how to approach the drop into the river and the river crossing before guiding everyone over safely.

Then it was the lovely drive along the river bed.  This place looks awesome during the day, but at night time with the lights falling on all the trees and grass around you it just looks like something out of a movie.  We then reached the 2nd and last river crossing.  I pulled my vehicle slightly out of the normal driving line and shone the lights on the river down the valley.  You could see the steam rising from the river.  On previous occasions Bernadette and Barto would play here with their cameras taking awesome photos of the steam coming off the water.

The next obstacle ofter ascending out of the valley was the launch pad.  The 4 of us attempted and succeeded in this obstacle that needs a bit of momentum while 2 used to the by pass to meet us on the other side.

The last stretch back to the end point was a nice relaxing drive in silence, just listening to the sound of nature around us.

Read the official report.

We wake up this morning to the sounds of people already busy packing up tents and their gear.  Bernadette heads off to the showers while I pack away our stuff and get ready to go.  When I’m done I quickly head to the showers as well for a shower that is at least a bit warmer than the previous morning.

After we greet everyone, we head off into Nieu Beathesta’s direction.  Our aim is to go and have a look at the Owl house.  Bernadette had been there before, but I haven’t, and ever since I saw it on TV I’ve been wanting to check it out.

Just before we get into the town, we land behind a tour bus.  Our fear is realized when they stop in front of the Owl house and people start pouring out.  We decide to go and have breakfast first before going into the small place with so many people.  We end up having a nice breakfast and a few cups of coffee.  It’s during this breakfast that I realize how time is not a factor for people staying in small towns like this.  They take their time and never seem rushed.  How lucky for them.

Eating Breakfast

In the Owl House I remember all the things that have been said about the lady that did all the sculptures.  People believed her to be mad and disturbed.  I can easily see why when you walk through the place.  There is a very strange feeling to this place.  She started with all the designs because she decided one day that she has had enough of her gray and dull life, and wanted to do something about it.  She spent a LOT of time decorating her house, with all the walls covered in little glass pieces as decorations.  I cannot begin to imagine how much time it took her to do it.  Walking through the garden it is clear that there was something different or special about this lady.  She definitely saw things differently than “normal” people would.  Was something perhaps haunting her mind?  Check out all the photos on our personal photo gallery.

From here we stopped off at the Labyrinth.  Initially I wanted to walk through it and experience what people say they experience when you do.  In the end we opted to rather go and try the locally produced Karoo Beer.  After a welcomed drink, we headed off towards PE.  It’s sad, but a fact of life, ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END.

It’s 15 August 2009 at 5:30 and the alarm has just gone off.  I fall asleep immediately again and forget it went off.  I wake up briefly when Bernadette gets out of the tent to go shower.  I think I fall asleep for another 10 minutes before waking up again and deciding I’ll get up.  We need to leave the camp site at 7:00.  The previous night had been very cold, and I can see the ice on the tents and the vehicles as I go to also shower.  I get into the cubicle and get ready to shower, put on the water and as I get in it is ice cold.  I need to make a decision, will I get out and go and see what is going on, or brave the cold and just get finished.  I decide to brave the cold.  Just before I start going into hypothermia I finish and get my clothes on as quickly as possible.  The upside of having my body at freezing point is that when I walk outside into the cold air, the air actually feels warm on my skin.  We get our final instructions and then we’re off to setup a rescue site.  Bernadette and I are on our own while the other 2 teams head off to another section to setup a crash site there.

Morning

We are given GPS coordinates of where to get onto a farm, as well as a point of where we must setup the crash site.  Easy I think.

Farm entrance

Once we get onto the farm I head off into the direction the GPS point is, and try and see which roads are leading towards it.  In the briefing we were told the farm owner knows about us and if there are not roads to get to the point, we can make our own roads.  This is something we don’t normally do.  It’s fine for 1 or 2 people to make use of a road you create yourself, but if there are more people following you in the future it leads to erosion.  So we are careful to only do this when there is no other choice.  And at this stage, we didn’t have another choice so I carefully started driving up the mountain, avoiding huge rocks.

Where is the road?

At this point we notice a farm bakkie coming towards us, so I thought I’ll just go and greet him.  When I get to him, it’s the farm foreman, and he doesn’t know anything about us being there!  I explain to him what we’re doing and told him I was under the impression it had been organised with the owner of the farm that we would be using their farm.  After putting him at ease that we weren’t there to poach, he actually helped me by explaining the best possible way to get on top of the mountain.  He even drove with us to the gate that leads to a road that actually goes up the mountain.  I am glad he showed up, because the route he took as too made more sense and was a lot more safer.

As he turns around he does warn me that due to the snow they’ve had the last couple of weeks the roads are pretty bad and that they struggled getting the tractor up the roads during the week.  I reassure him that we’ll be safe and only go as far as we feel safe to go.

Time was ticking on and we’d still have to do a bit of driving before even getting close to where we were supposed to be. The first part of the drive is fine, we even spot Springbuck and Zebras.

The Farm

Half way up the first little hill we have to get over the road is badly washed away and there is a huge boulder that had come loose from the cliff next to the route and landed in the middle of the road.  No amount of road building would help.

This is a nice road!

A minor obstacle

Ok, now what?

We decide to try and see if we can get to the top of the hill using another route that we would need to lay out ourselves.  It took me about 20 minutes walking up and down and checking out different routes until I saw a way to get up there.  At least if we didn’t make it up, the worst that would happen is that I would need to reverse, failing which I can use the winch to get myself out of there.  So with Bernadette guiding and taking photos I started going up the hill.  I got stuck in a hole halfway up, and reversed a bit.  I got out to check and the hole was quite big.  After filling it with rocks I tried again and made it up.  Amazingly I didn’t knock anything on the bakkie.  The only part that was left now to get up this little hill was a very rocky uphill.  With a bit of momentum I made it up.  Bernadette walked up the path and got into the bakkie.

New road

Colt doing me proud

Safely up

Long way to go

Here we were on a plateau and drove leisurely admiring the beauty around us.   I kept on forgetting our time was running out and we’re actually here to work.  I turned off from the road and headed up, in a direct route, towards the mountain’s top.  I spotted a nice cliff that I thought would make the perfect crash landing site.  We got there, parked and got out of the vehicle.  We were still 3.5km away from the point they wanted us to setup, but I decided we’ll just go as close we can.  I wasn’t willing to risk our lives or my vehicle’s well being.  The place we had stopped was very steep, and as I looked out into the distance I spotted a road leading up further into the mountain and looked to be closer to our destination.  We got back into the car, and because it was so steep we couldn’t really turn.  I had to reverse down for about 900m while trying to avoid huge rocks and little cliffs all the way down.  When it was safe, I turned the vehicle and headed up the road we saw.  It was looking good, we were now 2.9km away from the intended point.  I figured we had another 30 minutes before we would need to be ready for the first plane to come.

About 400m further we reached another plateau, but this had even bigger and more rocks.  Careful, but fast, driving in zigzags took us to about 2.4km away from the point.  I decided that we would stop there and get setup.  We had run out of time.

Is it a plane?

Our brief was to setup our vehicle to look like a plane that had crashed.  We used a couple of banners to create the vision of a plane that was on the ground.  Our quick breakfast was barely over when we heard the first plane come over.  The task of the planes were to fly in a certain pattern until they spot us.  They would then radio in the helicopter and guide them to us by radio only.  For the first exercise the helicopter would land, deploy 3 medics, and “rescue” us.

We had already discussed that Bernadette would be lifted into the helicopter in the stretcher and I would go via the strop.

After spotting the plane, and seeing that it spotted us, we waited to see which side the helicopter would come from.  A few minutes had passed when we suddenly heard this heavy droning sound coming from just the other side of a small valley.  Within seconds the helicopter came over our heads, turned and headed back to us.  It looked like a scene out of a movie.  With expert precision the helicopter touched down, and watching the hand signals between the occupants the medics deployed.  It was really great to see the coordination between the pilot, winch operator and the 3 medics.  The 3 medics came to greet us and explained again what is going to happen.  While they were strapping Bernadette into the stretcher I went to grab the camera to take a few shots.  With the helicopter making a lot of noise in the background, you had to listen carefully to whatever instructions were to follow.  They signaled to the pilot that they were ready and he lifted off again and came to hover over us.  The winch cable was let down, hooked into the stretcher, and Bernadette was hoisted into the air and into the helicopter.  Once she was in, the let down the strop and together with one of the medics I was hoisted into the helicopter.  It wasn’t high up, but even if it was higher, the noise of the helicopter was so loud in your head that even people with a fear of heights will be too confused to worry about the height.  Once in the helicopter I saw Bernadette sitting there a bit nervously     The helicopter then lowered back down again, and once we touched ground the winch operator signaled for us to depart.  We were told in the briefing to depart in such a way that we kept in the sight of the pilot, and keep our heads low.  Once we were clear, we turned around and waved as the helicopter left us again.

Bernadette in the stretcher

Bernadette

There she goes

Almost in

And then there was silence…… a lot of it.  Such a contrast between the excitement we had just experienced.

It would be another hour before another plane was scheduled to come and “spot” us.  This time though the helicopter would just come over us and head back again.  We relaxed around the vehicle and I caught a few z’s while Bernadette read her magazines.  It was awesome, here we were, in the middle of a mountain with more mountains around us, on the edge of a cliff with no one to bother us.  In complete silence we enjoyed it there.

Paradise

A while later we spotted the other plane, and when it circled us, we realised he had spotted us before he went off again.  When the third plane came later we wondered if this guy did spot us or not.  The previous planes would circle us once they had seen us, but this guy just carried on flying his patterns.  A few minutes later we heard the helicopter come over again.  He circled us and then hover about 100m away from us for quite some time before he threw something out the helicopter.  At first we were a bit confused until we saw the yellow smoke whirling away from the thing he had just dropped.  It was obviously a marker he had dropped, because seconds later, the plane we thought had not seen us came towards us and circled.  This would also be the last plane that would spot us for the rest of the day.

Smoke cannister

Not knowing exactly when we must head back to the camp site, Bernadette and I decided that we would leave no later than 16:00.  We still needed to get down the mountain, and didn’t want to do it in the dark.  Just after 16:00 we left.  I had Bernadette drive while I packed the road for us to avoid the rocks.  I didn’t want to damage the vehicle now.  It took us 30 minutes to do 500m.  It was great, we didn’t hit anything and Bernadette drove like an expert while I was carrying rocks around.

The next hectic part would be the part we had to figure out our own road earlier in the morning.  When we got there I switched off the vehicle and we walked down.  I decided that going on there was not an option, too many drop offs that would hurt the vehicle.  Also, at the angle, the weight from the whole vehicle would be on the nose which makes it closer to the ground.  I spent another few minutes walking up and down trying to see how we would get down.  Further down the road there was another option.   It was a lot more steep and I needed to get over the side bank before even getting onto it.  I decided that was my only option.  I moved a few rocks and told Bernadette to take her place to guide me down.  As I got over the bank I felt the vehicle slipping as I wanted to move forward.  I knew there were big rocks in the path it was trying to take me so I stopped and got out of the vehicle.  It would be too dangerous to try and fight the slide, so I decided to just go with it.  I got the rocks out of the way so that I don’t end up knocking the vehicle on the way down.  With Bernadette at a safe distance I got the vehicle into gear, turned the steering wheel into the slide and just drove it.  It ended up sliding a bit more, but with a bit more steering it came straight and I drove it all the way down.  Bernadette came down and we were now on a sturdy ground.  Slowly we drove through the rest of the farm as we spotted a number of Kudus and a variety of other buck.   It had taken us an hour to drive about 2km down the mountain.

Around 18:30 we pulled into the camp and found the other 4×4 teams there.  It didn’t sound like they had as much action as we did, but everyone was glad to have everyone bad safely.  We had the debriefing at 19:30, but Bernadette and I decided to rather get our own little fire going because we were very hungry and tired.  After dinner we settled into our tent for another night of cold sleep.