River trip 2023 [August 9 - 13, 2023]

[Rechardt]

Its been a while...

When:
Wednesday 9th August 2023 to Saturday 13th August 2023

What:
The trip is a totally self sufficient trip in a riverbed, and you will definitely need a 4x4 with good ground clearance and at least 65 profile tyres.

Where:
Klein Letaba and Moletotsi (Details to follow)

Who:
Anyone who has a 4x4 with the kit and rig can join - there is a limit of 12 vehicles but we will also have an overflow list for the 30% of people that pull out at the last minute.

Why:
Because iots been a while since we have done one and if you have not done a rivertrip, you have not lived.

Notes:

See post number 2 for attendance list
See post number 3 for trip information and do's and dont's

Trip Itinerary :

Day 1- 9th August -Travel to Limpopo and overnight at a place of your choice.
Day 2- 10th August- We meet just outside Giyani at 8h30 on Thursday morning the 10th of August. Details where we will, rendezvous to be shared later
Briefing at 08h45
Departure from meeting point is at 9am
We enter the Klein Letaba river about 2km from the meeting point
We aim to make the "Fence" on the first day, doubt it, so we will camp where we find a spot after the "Rocks" if need be.
Day 3- 11th August ,If we don't reach the fence the first night we will travel and camp at the fence.
Day 4:12th August Next morning we travel along the gravel road to the main road leading to the township and enter the Molotsotsi and go as far as we can (I'm sure you guys can see that this is moldable and could change as we go on in the days.)
However, on the morning of Day 4, you will have a choice if you want to continue with us into the Molototsi for 1 more night of camping or not.
Day 5- 13th of August (Sunday) , we find an exit from the Molototsi and leave for home after breakfast.

You are free to arrange your trip around the two fixed times, of Wednesday the 9th and Sunday the 13th

Requirements for the trip:

Please bring 2 way radios (Preferably a VHF with ORRA channels, but a UHF like a Bosvark or the like will also work)
Recovery kit is essential as well as recovery points
Tyre repair kit is essential
A good First Aid kit
A good spare tyre.
Take off your sidesteps please
Enough water to drink and or shower for 4 days and also if you get stuck next to the road if there might be a break down - your own food, and drink
Wood, the wood in the river is sometimes depleted so 2 bags for each vehicle please.
Braai tools
Lights (Not too bright please)
Hat. sunblock, insect repellant, good boots (That river sand is abrasive) and all the good outdoor personal stuff.
A Tool kit
A jack that will work on your vehicle - (Please check if you can lift your vehicle and a wheel from the ground before packing the jack)
A wooden block or a jack plate - (This is a riverbed after all)
Enough fuel - The closest fuel to us will be more than an hour away, and only at certain points in the river can you exit.
Low Range, or a crawler gear is a must, with good ground clearance
The terrain is rough with a real danger of damaging your tyres, so if possible please take care to have some good AT tyres on your vehicle of at least a 65% profile...
No alcohol to be consumed while travelling please

Right, stick your hands up and I shall add you to the attendance list and watsapp group.

[Mad Manny]

No takers?

[Renier_c]

The D4 runs 255/55/19s. Havent upgraded yet.

[Paul#25]

I would love to do it but I need to win the Loto or get a Government Contract for that to happen.
It was a fantastic experience in 2018 when I did it with the Disco 2 Td5 auto. I learnt a lot from the guys on the trip as the Disco was still quite new to me. On a trip like this you learn about getting the best out of your vehicle.

[LX]

Very Interesting.
Eish, my front diff needs re-gearing...

[Mad Manny]

there is no prize for offering the most feeble excuse ~ stop trying so hard guys....

[Asjas]

You are aware that the patrol river trip is the same weekend in the same river right? With currently around 40 vehicles. Well either way i guess il be there that weekend anyway...

[Anthony Forgey]

I am already attending with the Patrol group wich looks to be nearing 50 vehicles attending. We are going the other way round... Molototsi then Klein Letaba so we will pass each other

[Trolly Fan]

I am already attending with the Patrol group wich looks to be nearing 50 vehicles attending. We are going the other way round... Molototsi then Klein Letaba so we will pass each other

Yes, just about every Patrol ever sold in SA is going on this trip.
Not sure why all of a sudden the interest just went up.
We will keep to the left of the river to avoid any jams.

[Mad Manny]

Yip, the Patrol guys started their Thread in late January already.
To the Patrollers it's a pilgrimage...

[Bugjuic]

Also Joining Patrol trip… Massively nice group to go with as well. Many Patrols going, but all vehicles always welcome, many other vehicles going, not just Patrols.

[Flipside]

This is a bucket list item to do.
We have dine it twice.
The trip is a next level experience, regardless of the group you join.
Unfortunately this year it clashes with other plans.
But would have loved to go again.