Off-Road Training

Training @ Klein Tafelberg

As per Thys de Jager, a good friend.

My friend Carlo and I had the privilege to attend the first accredited Off Road Driver Competency Training in the Western Cape this past weekend. The training was presented by SA's first (and only) accredited off-road training provider under TETA (Transport Education Training Authority) TETA09-201 and we were trained in Unit Standard US254135 (Operating a 4 wheel drive vehicle in on-road and off-road conditions). The course was presented by African Off-Road Academy/The 4x4 Co, and the team was Thinus, Anton, Riaan, and Dirk and the snacks and meals were professionally prepared by Mario, "Die Kok". The facilities at the venue, Klein Tafelberg, were 5 Star as usual, with clean neat ablution block, a tidy clean camp site and comfortable conference facilities for the presentation of the course. The trail also allowed for practical assessment in sandy and rocky conditions.

We were 5 students enrolled on the course, 3 current Hilux Club members and 1 prospective member, and then Oom Louis with his diesel powered Patrol. The club members were, Carlo, Paul Weskus and myself. Then there was Eddie, who drives a Fortuner, who also took a Hilux4x4 business card and said he would join the forum and the club, and he'll bring some mates along too. Oom Louis is a qualified Tour Guide, and the owner of the farm on which the Buffelskloof (near Ladismith) is situated, and I negotiated with him to possibly organising a trip through the Kloof for us in September/October this year.

From the moment we arrived on Friday, the friendly training team made us feel right at home. After we pitched camp, we were treated to some snacks and cold drinks, and at about 7pm the first training session started. We all agreed to get as much of the theory out of the way as soon as possible so that we can get to the real stuff... Practical Driving. So we pushed on until around about 22h00 with the theory, and then went to bed in anticipation of an exciting day on Saturday.

Saturday was rise and shine quite early, and at 07h00 we had coffee and rusks in hand in the training lapa. Class started quite early at about 07h30 and continued until 10h00 when we took a break for brunch. School was out at 11 and we all went down to the dirt road for some "emergency stop" procedures, tyre deflation and other practical demonstrations.

From there it was the trail. The one that Kaspaas refused to complete about a month ago. There was a group of 4x4's (Snyman4x4 Club) that went up the mountain and cross-axled the uphills something chronic. But we all went up and every now and then we would stop at an obstacle, and the correct way of negotiating each obstacle was explained and then each one of us got to do it practically in our own vehicles. This was not difficult as we already knew most of the techniques, BUT there were some perceptions that were changed, and there are definitely some things that I was "taught" (by other drivers, books, articles) that were wrong, and these practical demonstrations/exercises corrected that. After the "mild" sand route we stopped at the top os the hill under the trees for lunch.

After lunch we went on the rocky route, definitely NOT a trail for somebody with limited 4x4 experience and without a diff-lock. The turns are extremely tight, and some of the cambers are steep and scary. Also this trail has a lot of very steep ascents and descents, with steps and loose rocks. Definitely one of the more difficult trails that I have done so far. But in the hands of the Instructors, and their expert guidance we all made it through unscathed. The way the instructors acted as spotters and the way they guided us up and down every little part of the trail made me feel relaxed, and gave me a lot of confidence to follow their instructions to the letter. They were really very proffessional in the way they coaxed us along the trail. After the entire day on the mountain, we got back to camp at about 18h30. In time to pitch my RTT, and then to go and write the first "open book" test.

When we got to the lapa we started talking about our experiences on the trail, watch a slide show of all the photographs that were taken by the instructors, their wives and others, and before we knew it it was dark, and time for another fantastic meal by Mario! After dinner we decided not to write the test and rather carry on with our discussion, and we sat around chatting, laughing and having fun until about 23h00.

Sunday morning saw us up and about at 07h30 with coffee and rusks and an "open book" test. After the test we had a few minutes for another cup of coffee, and then we did the written exam (the BIG one). This exam tests your knowledge on what you learned on the course and is really not difficult. After the exam we did some more practical demonstrations, just for interest sake, and some of the last admin, and by about 12h00 all was over and done with. We broke up camp and got to hit the road home at about 14h00.

My impressions:
I think the training team conducted themselves in a very professional way, they knew their subject-matter and their experience placed us all at ease, and instilled a true sense of trust in their judgement, espescially on the trail under really stressful conditions. Points in the course material were illustrated by means of their practical experiences and incidents where they were involved and were conveyed in a manner that we as 4x4 drivers can relate to.

The course was worth every cent of the R3000 we paid for it. The qualification accredited by SETA, is internationally recognised and the experience can never be taken away from you.

I firmly believe that everyone with a 4x4 who enjoy the outdoors in whatever way, needs to do this training to safe-guard not only his family and passengers, but also nature, the tracks they drive on, fauna and flora and the environment for others to also enjoy.

Next steps:
From here on I am planning on taking the Advanced 4x4 Driving course, the 4x4 Driver Instructors course, and possibly some other courses they also present. I also want to organise a First Aid course for our Hilux4x4 guys in Cape Town through Anton's training connections.

Thanks to the training team, for treating us all as part of the family, and your expert guidance and endless patience, Mario for the really really good food (I gained a few pounds for sure), and the photographers for the nice pictures and the good memories.

6 Day Baviaanskloof trip

We did a 6 day trip though the Eastern and Western Cape Region, we were going to try and spend as little time on the tar roads and spend more time on the dirt roads.

The first day started in Cape Town with us heading out via the N1 over the Du Toits Kloof Pas where we also had breakfast with a great view overlooking the Paarl Valley. We stayed on the N1 through the beautiful Heks river valley which was covered with people running around to try and finish off the grape season. We then entered into the Groot Karoo and stopped in Matjiesfontein to go back into the past and that is what we did. We were surrounded by all this old, old buildings trains and the people that is still caught in the time capsule of the Groot Karoo of the past.

After the time capsule we moved further and reached a town called Prince Albert where we also had lunch the old farmer style way, Lamb chops with olives. We moved forward but ever so slowly over and through the Swartberg Nature Reserve with great views of the rock faces from up close. We then moved down the steep down hills and reached the town of Oudtshoorn where we stopped to view the crocodiles, cheetah, tigers and much more at the Cheetah & Crocodile Park. We spent the night at the Kleinplaas Holiday Resort – Caravan Park, very clean ablution blocks and very safe.

Day two started after breakfast by heading out to the Cango Caves where we stepped out on the limb and enrolled for the adventure tour which took us deep into the stomach of the caves where we were pushed through our passes and put into a few tight spots. After getting our breaths back we went to visit the long neck birds that can not fly at the Safari Ostrich Farm. After all the excitement of Oudtshoorn we headed out to the Karoo Midlands, the area is a paradise of contrasts offering towering purple mountains offset against Karoo plains and lush green valleys. The Baviaans offers life in its unspoilt best. We spent the night at Duiwekloof Lodge where we got to spend the night so close to nature that is humanly possible, full moon over the dry river bed and next to it the braai fire burning.

Day three, the morning we head off into the Baviaans Kloof over the rolling hills further into the unspoilt unknown of wild animals and Baviaanskloof Wilderness area. The Baviaans is the ultimate destination to experience the best nature has to offer in its purest form and life as it was intended to be lived. Before the end of the day we reached Oyster Bay where we were embraced by the sand dunes hugging the beach line. We spend the night in the Oyster Bay Campsite which was very clean and neat.

The fourth day started with sunrise over the sea and breakfast after we then left for Kareedouw on the R62 past Joubertina. We then turned of into the dirty stuff and headed through the Zondachsberg where we ended up having lunch on top of the world.
After lunch we headed down into Knysna past the Big tree and Knoetzie. We booked into Lake Brenton Holiday Resort on the banks of the Knysna Lagoon. This place is even for the fitness enthusiast equipped with a gym yes a gym in a camp site. That night we had dinner at Crabs Creek restaurant. Here the saying goes. “We are so popular that even the tide visits us twice a day “

Day Five started with breakfast after we then headed for the Map of Africa in Wilderness. We headed through the mysterious Knysna Forrest and then over the Old Montagu Pass & Old Smithy where we could look out over the old and the new. After seeing the new and riding on the old we headed down the new Montagu Pass and headed for Botlierskop Game Reserve via the old George road and the Island at Groot Brak. We then headed for Mosselbay where we had lunch under the Light house while viewing the dolphins swimming past the point. After being greeted by the gentle wonders we went past the Post tree on our way to Albertinia Hotel where we would be spending the night in a time capsule of good old country comforts again.

Morning of day 6 we had breakfast in the old kitchen from the 1950’s when we then headed for Malgas Pont, what an experience. We then headed for the most Southern point on the African continent, Agulhas. We then headed for the whale capital of South Africa, Hermanus where we had lunch on the rocks before heading back to Cape Town. Before ending the trip we stopped at the view point on top of Sir Lowry’s Pass overlooking False bay and the hole Cape Flats area to Blouberg Strand.

We ended the Trip at the Grand Daddy Hotel where we started the trip 6 days ago.

4 Friends to Namibia

On my most recent visit to Namibia we had a few hairy experiences due to the unexpected flash floods from the rains.
We started our journey to Namibia in the 6th of February with 2 vehicles, 4 of us, Riaan my partner, Barry my good friend from Robertson Winery and our trusty chef and camp boy, Franco.
The idea behind the trip was to familiarize Riaan with the surroundings of some of the back roads of Namibia together with taking a small break before I started a tour with some French people to Botswana.
Myself, Barry and Franco started from Stellenbosch and met Riaan at the Engen on the N7 outside Malmesbury. There we had Franco drive with Riaan and we set off to the north. Reached Noordoewer fairly early and decided to go for Hobas on the Fish river canyon.
This was a great idea and we had a great time at the Canyon, took some great shots of the sun setting over the mountains in the West with good light on the Canyon walls.
Our journey took us to Sesriem the following day to visit Sossusvlei and the mighty dunes of the surrounds. Some took the chance at a scorching 40 ͦC and got there bare feet burned to blisters, well, as they say, “Africa is a tough country”.
We decided to make for Solitaire for the overnight stop and as always it was great to visit the Apple capital of Namibia, or shall we call it the Apfel Strudel capital of the World. If you have not done the Apfel Strudel thing in Solitaire, then you have not had apple pie yet. After a great meal and some more pie we retired to our open air accommodation of mattresses and sleeping bags. Not much after 12 that night I woke to a few rain drops falling on my face. We soon put up the large awning and went back to sleep while the thunder was threatening to wash us down to the Fish River again, but things settled and all was good for the night.
The next day took us to the best place on earth, Swakopmund, stopping at friend and colleague Jacque from Uri Adventures; we headed for the German capital for Eisbein and Jagermeister. Our journey had not been trouble free as we had one tyre blowout about 20km’s before Walvisbay, this we had replaced and was well on our way in no time thanks to the competent crowd at Quality Tyres in Walvis. We decided to do an indoor overnight at the new Municipal bungalows, which was more that adequate for our stay. We did not feel like a night under the misty stars of the West Coast and all soaked with sea salt the next day.
Filling the fridges with the great product of Namaqua Butchery and some Tafels, the type you drink and not sit by, we left for Palmwag in the north. After breakfast along the road at Cape Cross, we headed East to Dorros Crater through the Ugab Canyon to Twyfelfontein and up to Palmwag. Traversing over some of the most remote parts of this country, we had the best Welwitchia sightings I have ever seen, literarily thousands along the dry riverbeds, absolutely Welwitchia alley. An absolute must if these prehistoric plants tickle your fancy. We made good progress to the Ugab and stopped over for lunch under a big Acacia tree in the riverbed. Soon after leaving the river we started to have the first real rains and thunderstorm activity. We made and waded our way up to Twyfelfontain only to be greeted by various flooding rivers. At this time it was still easy going and we were able to cross the little streams with ease.
As we made our way to Palmwag, we started crossing deeper and deeper rivers till we got to the Uniab a short while before Palmwag.
Along the way, about 10km’s before, we picked up an American couple with a rental bakkie and a surfboard in the back. They were from California and were travelling the country. Well, needless to say, they got really worried about the water and ended following us through the streams which have now become rivers of might.
Well, the Uniab got the better of us and we were not able to cross it. With utter determination on reaching Palmwag before night fall, we decided to give it a bash, or well a splash. We tied the two vehicles together with a long Snatch rope to be on the safe side. I entered the river first with Riaan behind me tied as an anchor. At first it seemed all right and we went for it, obviously underestimating the strength of such a flowing river the water took my vehicle and turned it downstream in a flash. With a sudden jerk from behind Riaan managed to pull me back to safety as this would have been merely impossible by myself. Lesson to be learned, if you cannot walk it, don’t drive it, and if in doubt, tie yourself to another heavy vehicle.
We ended up staying with the Yanks for an hour or so and having a relaxing glass of wine watching the sun set. Only to hear from them the words…”YOU CRAZY MOTHER #%$^&*”. Well I guess that could describe our unthinkable effort. It took not more than 2 hours for the river to settle and we crossed with ease to make Palmwag by 7 and still set up camp.
We now can tell the story without having lost any equipment, but the egos were damaged a bit.
From Palmwag we drove via Kamanjab to Etosha to make camp at Namutoni. The pan had rain recently and was flocked with game. Wow, what a sight. After Namutoni we split up. Riaan going to Windhoek and myself and Barry to Vic Falls. We had picked up some trouble with our Camil shock absorber on my Toyota which we had looked at in Tsumeb. We then with very kind and generous organizing from LA Sport Windhoek had a new shock flown in to Windhoek for replacement. At absolutely no charge to the shock and only covering the labor, this was fantastic service from Piet at Camil. They are really the best there is. Thanx Piet.
We made our way to Ngepi on the Okavango River just as you enter the Caprivi Strip. We had a fantastic time there again with the most friendly staff and fantastic tree houses for accommodation.
Setting off to Vic Falls the next morning via Katima and then through Zambia to Livingston we made good progress and reached the falls with ease at about 2pm. Myself and Barry had a good walk to the falls and after getting completely soaked, booked into the Waterfront Camping site for the night. Again having a good couple of sundowners to end this absolutely great journey with fantastic friend was so fabulous. Barry had to leave for home the following day and I had to pick up my guests from Brussels for a two week trip through Botswana.
I will travel with Barry Kok to Bangkok and back anytime, with company as this, who needs a destination…………………..

Link to photo's - http://picasaweb.google.com/antonferreira0/FRIENDSTONAMIBIA#

Atlantis 2x4 Outing

We had our first 2x4 day in the Atlantis dunes with huge success. Even with only three 2x4’s that joined us, it was hugely enjoyed. All three the vehicles were Toyota Fortuners and we had one Nissan Navara 4x4 that also joined the day.
The day was started with a little bit of uncertainty whether this was a good idea and if we were not just going to get stuck the whole time, but to most of the drivers it was an absolute eye-opener to what their vehicles were capable of. The Fortuners handled themselves fantastically and soon the drivers got the hang of things. With little effort even some of the tougher 4x4 obstacles were concurred with rather ease. We even got a, “hey that car is not in 4x4 yet……stop”, the reply from the food tent, “they don’t have 4x4………” needless to say, the jaws were hanging wide open.
We cannot say that the day was adventure free. Francois was kind enough to give me the opportunity to demonstrate how effective a Snatch-strap really is and that a good head support during this maneuver is advisable as we gathered afterwards at the fire…….. No egos were bent and with chins high and spirits even higher we completed the day with joy.
Great guys, you were great out there and you can be very proud of yourselves and your vehicles.