What an awesome and memorable trip!
First and foremost thanks to Manny, without whom this trip would not have happened!
Then to the Off-Course team and their affiliation with Maxxis for sponsoring a part of the trip!
Then Ron, who set up the camping area, cleared the path, and made this one of the most memorable camping sites I will never forget, what a great guy with the best personality you will find (just imagine the complete opposite of Manny! that is Ron
).
Thursday:
Being a spectator and co-driver/spotter to Trolley Fan (Alex), my prepping was more of an overland one: Roofrack on, Watertank, RTT, head out to the shops, buy all the food, pack almost my whole garage into the SussieBussie (Fortuner) and off I go to Polokwane to drop off kids and wife, only about 40min drive from Carnage. Hand a few tools to Anthony, helping him tighten his Front hubs (Who ever thought, lets take an awesome off-road vehicle you can plunge into the bush with, and then to fix it we will put Torx bolts on???
)
Friday:
Quickly get some items at Ron for Piet who helped clear the tracks and looking after our belongings at camp, whilst we try and drive carnage the next day. Meet up with everyone at the garage, Ron arrives and there the trip starts. Finally no more cellphone reception, reach a great 'campsite' and crack open a beer (or more), sit around a braai and see everyone wondering what is to expected the next day.
Saturday:
I hop into Torro with Alex and head off to the start of carnage. Ready to start the trip, almost getting excited then Manny decides to give a speech. As many will remember, it was a long speech with very little content, but indeed needed
. First day driving commences and not too difficult for most of it, but got more technical at Gatekeeper. Nice intro to Carnage. Then on the other hand, hats off to Riaan in Bad-Habit, just cruising past people on his own line making everything seem like a breeze, and winches a few people out, overall giving a helping hand where needed. While on the track, Torro, on a rock bed, decides not to start anymore, Anthony from Off-Course 4x4 quickly gives a hand, trying to jump start us with his plaasimplement, but nothing! Upon closer inspection I see smoke coming from the starter, where a wire running to the solenoid has melted itself off, find a nice thin piece of driftwood, wedge it in there and there we go, this piece of driftwood drove with us all the way, and might still be in Torro as a backup. Got to camp at around 14:15, soldered back together with many eager bystanders and help.
Sunday:
Back into the river, get going early in the morning, Off-Course 4x4 hand out nice gift baskets to all the competitors and additional stickers to bystanders and co-drivers, at this stage Manny also hands out 4x4AG stickers, thanks guys.
The very first rocky section about 200m in I move a rock under Torro, expecting the diff to catch it, miscalculate the weight and wedge my RH index finger nicely between two rocks, Alex quickly assists, we move the rock and bandage up the finger.
All relative 'smooth sailing' until we don't see Anthony and Angelique anymore. The river sand being driven by everyone before them has now been driven out, and Angelique was bottoming out numerous times, Anthony winching her back a few times and trying again. Finally through, it is time for Anthony to pass, not expecting him to go through first time, he shoots that weapon of a Patrol right through first time, video can be seen of that.
Reaching Dead Dog Gorge at around 14:00 being the last group to reach DDG, Angelique, Muller and Alex decide to drive DDG, now this is NOT for the faint hearted and some of the angles were quite knarley to say the least. All of them finish the first part of DDG and we decide this was where we will stop Torro. We tag along helping where needed and Angelique and Muller make it to the beach! What a view, and we take a nice swim in refreshing water pool.
Coming back DDG was interesting, almost sure we were going to roll Torro, we decided to anchor ourselves to a rock and Muller assisted with some great spotting.
Easy route back to camp where war stories were exchanged and a nice fire was made, ending off a great trip!
This a a bucketlist trip, great bunch of people, lets not make it another 5 years before we attempt it again!