Rock the Cradle - 4x4'ing in the Cradle of Humankind

[KurtG]

Kurt are you missing SA?

Yes of course we miss SA, it is the place of our birth. I also miss the Pajero even though the Touran has the same wheel articulation characteristics.

However, there are some things about SA that I really do not miss at all.

[tgwinduna RIP]

Not enough old toppies to teach him the ropes.
Still pissed of with the remark that there is too many old people in the 4x4 AG

[Mad Manny]

TGWInduna - you alone increase the average age by 12 years per person...

[LesseW]

So here goes my first Chairman's report

Rock the Cradle: Thaba Nkwe

We all arrived at 8:00 with Charles (newbie) thinking he should first go and get permission from the Hominids at the Cradle, he joined us eventually. We were given a map and told that we had the whole day to enjoy the venue, this is true because the obstacles are hidden and somewhat of a treasure hunt to get to them since the map and the trail do not match.... But overall it was a fun day and we enjoyed the venue!

Pros:
1. Close proximity to the majority of club members in Gauteng
2. Beautiful scenery
3. A few semi-challenging obstacles, drive well and your vehicle will not get scratched or damaged
4. Trail is maintained and diverse (from mountains to small rivers with some animals)

Cons:
1. map and trail do not match, trail also not marked well
2. No ablution facilities (or for all we know)
3. Yhe trail would be too easy for die hard 4x4 maniacs (this should not be a con but I'll leave it in)

Who was recovered:

1. MartinDJ: Martin was so eager to take photos of everyone on the first obstacle that he got stuck, Avon recovered his Suzuki Jimny
2. Avon & Wessel: Dared one another to drive 15m through a shallow dam to the next obstacle, I walked it before we tried (so no we were not boneheads). As soon as the vehicle hits the water your wheels just sink and you cannot get out. Avon pulled me out with his Jeep and Malhannes recovered Avon with his winch. Avon went the furthest with 1.5 out of 15 meters.
3. Shane was recovered by Kyle, I was not there so no details.

Lastly: Manny and Princess Fearless almost had to be recovered, he tried getting up the first obstacle like 7 times, first he blamed his tire pressure yet it was already at 1.1. Then he tried again, this time he blamed his diff lock for not engaging. In the end he made it, I gave him a hug afterwards.

It was a fun day, I hope the new members will join us again.

[Shane]

Manny's response to a potential recovery obstacle seems to be - PUT FOOT!

While I agree it was not a difficult trail for the "hardebaarde" - which I'm not - I think it was perfect for the day!

Charles sustained just enough damage to consider upgrades, but not so much as to be put off for life!

And I didn't damage anything on my vehicle.

There's always next time for a tougher trail.

Having said that - the scenery was great! And I'm not just talking about all the Toyotas in the group!

I saw blesbuck, zebra, gemsbuck, giraffe.

To me, it's not JUST about serious obstacles.

But a great day none the less.

Now we just need a map reading training day....




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[Mal Hannes]

Thank you Mr Chairman was lots of fun.

Thank you for guiding me up the hill etc.

I think you must go for map reading lessons. TIc.

[Mal Hannes]

Haha ha Snap Shane!

[Shane]

My comment wasn't necessarily aimed at Wessel....

But the radio waves were filled with different map "interpretations"....

[Mad Manny]

Manny's Comments:

Lead Up:
The event was superbly organised by the Great Mad Manny - however, needing to get 10+ vehicles to get the R350 fee (normally R400) put me under pressure because you lot are slapgat.
Nonetheless, with some effort I managed to get 10 a few days before the event, then 2 more were added after the Cut-Off.

The Day Before:
Shane impressed me by being prepared to drive 300km to attend the event. I offered him lodging in the East wing of Casa De Freitas.
He arrived & we went to Hogs Head for dinner (on Shane).
Very pleasant.

Rocking the Cradle:
I woke with a headache - a 440ml Windhoek Draught @ home & 4 Draughts at Hogs is less than 2.5 liters of beer - clearly I'm a lightweight.
Shane & I drove in convoy, meeting up with Wessel at the K'dorp Highway/N14 intersection, but he stopped for coffee - so we left him.

On arrival I initially thought we'd mixed in with another group - but it was just Hannes & Marnus' entourage.
Deon, the owner, is a pleasant enough chap.

After the Chairman's welcome speech & Deon's presentation I went through the "Ten Commandments of 4x4'ing" this is standard procedure.

We then stalled as Charles had got lost - despite my very clear directions.
We then headed off as he arrived. I noticed his Everest looked new & standard & I started doubting Charles' ability to read.
I even said to Shane "That Everest is going to give us today's drama'...

We managed to help Charles deflate, but you can't let too much air out 20" rims with 50 profile - but I took him down to 1.5 despite protests.

The first obstacle is a steep down & up river crossing - Charles did it beautifully.

The next obstacle was a steep, loose, long climb - I struggled there. I thought my D/L was faulty because I just couldn't get traction.
But I suspect, being last, I took the wrong line & had to contend with everyone else (11 vehicles) churning the surface up.

The rest of the route was largely uneventful, but there were challenges. Wessel & Martin seemed incapable of spotting the signboards.
Admittedly the signboards were hidden in trees, but those two are clearly not 'Spoorsnyers'.
Nonetheless, Wessel did his best, with a poor map, to guide a long convoy.

After a few hours of Wheelin' we decided to try find the farmhouse near the start as Deon had said it had toilets & we felt the girls may need ablutions.
So we headed back. The return river crossing was more challenging & me, being last, had to deal with it well drenched.
Shane struggled on numerous attempts, each time taking more water up the exit climb and polishing it smooth with his spinning.
Finally Kyle tugged Shane out & I had to give it a good go to get out in one go.

Then Wessel, followed by Avon, decided, for reasons I don't understand, to drive into the dam.
That was funny!!!

We got to the house - but trust me - there are no ablutions.
So, having done about 30 - 40% of the trail, we decided to call it a day.
Concern for the girls, knowing Wessel needed to get home & Shane still had to drive back after lunch I pushed for calling it a day.

We had a final debriefing & a group photo.
Most of us headed to the Bru House for a beer & burger.
Awesome end to a great day.

Conclusion:
It was a great day out.
It was great fun.
Wessel led us well - under the circumstances.
We had a few good laughs.
Charles actually went from worrying me, to impressing me.
It was a great group & the non members; Maarten, Marnus & Charles as well as their passengers, were all nice people.
In fact, the 3 guests drove very well - the recovered were all Club members! .
The club members, obviously, are a great bunch - as always. They did need 4 recoveries though!

I must say, having almost all the vehicles with ORRA Radio Comms really makes a day like that flow so muuuuch better.
Charles was handed a spare handheld Radio halfway through & he agreed it was much better being 'in the loop' & knowing what was going on.
We will, increasingly, insist on Radio Comms at events.

I hope the guests picked up on the Camaraderie & Cohesion that sets the 4x4Action Group apart.

I thank everyone for attending, especially Shane, who drove over 600km to attend.

Until the next one...

[LesseW]

Thanks for this Manny.

[CharlesFowlds]

It was a great day. Will surely join the club before the next outing.
Thank you everybody who made us feel welcome. You guys are actually not that bad This was a special day and good memories for my daughters. They will never forget this first adventure- cheers to many more.

[CornellMans]

Thanks Martin. info@0861clearview.co.za
I would like to join the club- but when I click on the link at the top "Join the 4x4 Action Group club" it gives me a page error

Will be refreshing to not be the only Everest driver in the bunch. PS, people are generally very jealous of the Everests' good looks and capability

[Mad Manny]

Hi Charles! You (& Maarten & Marnus) can now join.
www.4x4actiongroup.co.za.

Could you please send me your number - Zero82 453 13 Zero 6.

Thanks!

I sent you a PM, but there's an issue & it never went through!

[Shane]

I see 4x4ing with a stock vehicle seems to be an Everest thing....

One of the Off Course episodes featured a chap with a stock vehicle too.

https://youtu.be/ejMiFLIlAuw

[Mad Manny]

I think that was Chris Els (Cyberdog).
Seems he did very little of the track.