SCORPION LIFESTYLE CLUB

The trip up and down the Sani Pass over the long weekend of the 1^st to 3^rd May, became an idea after George Bitzer, a fellow Instructor and myself, exited Lesotho after a weeks training of Avis clients in March this year.  Our last venue was in Makhotlo and to return to Leribe past the Diamond mine was not an option in view of the bad roads and the time it would take. We then decided to exit via Sani Pass as it was closer and hopefully a far better road to travel. Also neither of us had been up or down the Sani Pass so we did not let the opportunity go by.

 

The trip Down was Awesome to say the least, exciting and thrilling, also very long as George would jump out of his Ranger every 5 minutes to take photographs of either Waterfalls or the fantastic scenery.

Before we descended we spoke to an elderly couple who had made the UP and who mentioned that it was like driving in a river bed.  Well at every nook and cranny and hairpin bend I was anticipating arriving at a section of the road which resembled a River Bed.  The road down was to me smooth and not uncomfortable, but then we were driving 3lt turbo Diesel FORD RANGERS!

All too soon our trip down came to an end when we arrived at the turn to Himeville/Underberg.

At that point I thought that it would be wonderful to do a trip UP and DOWN.

 

After much Internet searching for overnight accommodation, gathering of the Clan to do the Trip, the Day finally dawned.

 

4 Rangers, 2 Mazda’s, 1 Ssangyong and 1 Prado set off on the 1^st May 2009 to meet at Midmar Dam, our Overnight Stop.  The day started out as overcast with the Sun trying its damdest to break cloud cover.

 

With the exception of the Prado all vehicles arrived at Engen One Stop outside Villiers at 09h00. From there we made our way to Morgenzon Midmar Dam. As the day progressed the weather gave evidence of the Cold Front heading our way.  We arrived at Midmar dam without incident, booked in and set up camp.

Here the wind started blowing off the dam into the camp site and it was cold. Shades of things to come.

Tents, ground, roof top and off road trailer tents were erected. The group after enjoying their evening meal all met around the camp fire near Wayne’s tent to get to know each other.   Fleece blankets were issued in defense of the inclement weather and as a memento of our trip.

 

08h30 was the departure time for our trip to Himeville/Underberg and last stop before we attempted the Up to Sani Top Lodge where we would be spending the night.  Our departure to Sani Pass was somewhat delayed as Petrol/Diesel tanks had to be filled and this prompted a Tummy Fill.

We finally departed Howick 45 minutes behind schedule.

 

This leg of the trip was not without incidents as the Sanyyong had the misfortune of picking up a piece of metal in the left rear tyre, rendering the tyre useless.  Whilst part of the Group rendered assistance the other part pushed on to Underberg as Wayne had received disturbing news regarding the conditions at Sani Top from Joe Ungerer.

 

Joe was with a group who had taken a trip up the Pass and camped there.  Winds were howling at gale force and the temperature a cold -4 degrees. This group had decided not to sleep at Sani Lodge Backpackers once they descended. Joe and his group offered us the use of their camp site which we gladly accepted.  I must mention that at this time the weather was looking good, with the sun shining and a cool breeze blowing.

It was the intention that the two groups meet up at Sani Lodge Backpackers before we continued up the pass. However the Ssangyong had a damaged tyre which had to be replaced. One cannot go off-roading on a “Biscuit” and whilst Able and Sean attended to the replacement of the ruined tyre the rest of our group proceeded to our camp site.  We waited for Able and Sean to join the group before attempting the ascent.

 

In March when George and I descended the Pass, the road was as I mentioned fairly smooth. What a difference it was when we started our climb to the Top. The road had deteriorated so much it felt that we were driving in a River Bed. Never-the –less the trip was exciting, exhilarating, and awesome with breath taking scenery.

The road was quite busy with a fair number of vehicles returning. However not all the drivers apparently knew the Rule of the Road. All ascending vehicles have Right of Way and it amazed me that so many drivers did not follow this rule. A motorcycle group in particular decided that because they had TWO wheels this rule did not apply to them.

 

We met Malcolm Dale, who had intended to camp with us, on his way down as his wife was quite ill and he was returning home. We bade our farewell and continued up the Pass with Abel, Jurie and Sean following close behind.  We reached the top just after 13h30 and after completing Border Crossing formalities headed for the Lodge.  The Lodge was quite crowded but warm. Coffee laced with Rum was the drink of the day and very welcome. A fire was burning in the heath and mixed with the heat from the fire was body heat and heat coming from the kitchen. Lunch was being served and after standing outside in the cold drinking our Coffee-Rum we decided that lunch would be a good idea.

At some point the wind picked up, the sky darkened, and drizzle with a hit of sleet came down.

The group, after having eaten lunch, held a Bosborad to decide whether we would stay on the Top that night or descend to the Backpackers lodge. Derick, Pieter, Jurie, Lauriska, Anneke and Cobus all elected to spend the night on top. Just after 3PM we said our goodbye’s and began the descent.   The Down Trip was just as spectacular and all too soon we arrived at the South African Border Post.

 

Arriving at the Backpackers lodge we found that the owner had let part of our site to a family in a Nissan. This made it a bit of a tight squeeze but we managed to fit into our site. 

 

The Backpackers Lodge we something else! One ablution block catering for both sexes - and as the site was crowded using the ablutions was something of a Lottery!   Dinner that night was a collective affair and not long after I and my wife retired to our roof-top tent. I do not recall when the remainder of our now small group went to bed as I was lights out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

 

The following morning we all wondered how the Up group slept in their tents in a Gale Force wind and minus zero temperature. Looking up we could not see the Top as it was covered in a blanket of cloud. After breaking camp we departed just after 10h00 and went our separate ways back home with thoughts of doing it again some time soon.