Baboons pass 2025

[Trolly Fan]

Proposed date: 26 to 29 April 2025.

There is however a whole week 'off' as per SA school holidays between 26 April and 2 May. So, we can shift it slightly if need be.
(Also, it may be wise to have some spare days on the back in case we need to arrange for a recovery).
www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Document ... ar2025.pdf

This event was last done by me and other Patrols in 2017.
I then decided I had to do it again. But need others to join in.
It is an obvious bucket-list item.

The challenge with Baboons is not how hard any specific section is, but fact that it is consistently technical.
I like to compare it with mountain climbing. You need to keep your concentration on every step as you start at around 1,800 meters and 20kms later end the pass at 2,800 meters. Usually, if there is damage, it happens in the final quarter, when people are tired and irritated.
Most vehicles can do it. Smaller tires (say minimum 31") just means more patience and potentially earth moving by gwala / rod. But 33" would be preferred.

This is a dual Patrol forum / 4x4 AG event.
So, members of Patrol forum and AG Forum have first right to put their names down.
I will keep the "Definitely committed" and "Very interested" lists up to date on both.
When you reply please indicate whether you should be added to the DC or VI list.
I would like to suggest a maximum of 10 vehicles and a minimum of 5.
If we are short, we can consider additions from elsewhere.

Plan:
The proposed date to start this tour will be to leave Gauteng on Saturday 26 April 2025 (early morning).
Day 1: Getting to the overnight point just before the pass at Ramabantla lodge and camping (Trading post).
Day 2: First day in the pass, depending on whether we want to do it over 1 or two days, we can aim to finish it in one day (as we did in 2017) or stay over on the pass. We will see how we progress.
Day 3: Second day in the pass, or having stayed at the over-night spot on the next town (Semonkong) after the pass, we head home
Day 4: Head home.

Accomodation the day before driving the trail:
Ramabanta lodge and camping (Trading post)
www.ramabantatradingpost.com/

Accomodation the day after completing the trail:
Semonkong. It has the longest commercially operated single-drop abseil in the world as stated by Guinness World Records!
http://www.semonkonglodge.com/

I will book these two places once we have a better idea of numbers.
But given the spate of public holidays in SA in that week, I will not be able to wait too long on this.

[Trolly Fan]

Attendee List

1. Me
2. Muller +2
3. Mr mmg (Marlan) +1
4. Rem +1
5. Leon vdWalt +1

And we have the sum total of 5!
Accommodation bookings have been done.

So this is the final number for Baboons 2025

[Mad Manny]

Awesome Stuff Alexander!

[Bugjuic]

Very Interested! Hoping to soon change that to DC soon!

[Rechardt]

Very interested
Hilux V6 D/C with 2 " lift on 32 inch rubber with rear locker.

[Woolf]

Happy to be a nogshlepper again. If I may be so brave as to suggest a further prerequisite - difflock. The nondiff lock cars sukkeled much more last time and required much more rock packing

Should have added TC as well

[PsyPhin]

YOLO, put me down for Definitely committed.
32" tyres, 2" lift, front/rear locked Double Cab with rock sliders.

[Rechardt]

Happy to be a nogshlepper again. If I may be so brave as to suggest a further prerequisite - difflock. The nondiff lock cars sukkeled much more last time and required much more rock packing

Should have added TC as well

Agreed Woolf. At least 1 locker.

[Saxj]

Happy to be a nogshlepper again. If I may be so brave as to suggest a further prerequisite - difflock. The nondiff lock cars sukkeled much more last time and required much more rock packing

Should have added TC as well

Very interested.

My Jimny, with 29's and no diff-locks, "sukkeled" a lot less than most of the other vehicles.

[Woolf]

But your traction control worked well

[Martin de Jager]

Well since I did it in 2019, I would love to do it again, this time in the Jimny.

[Rechardt]

Well since I did it in 2019, I would love to do it again, this time in the Jimny.

In that Jimny, it will be a breeze

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[Martin de Jager]

Well since I did it in 2019, I would love to do it again, this time in the Jimny.

In that Jimny, it will be a breeze

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I am not sure that mountain remains the Boss, still considering to fir my TRE Air locker to the front diff, rear e locker works like a dream.

[Reenen]

Seker weer tyd

DI


Sal iets met ten minste 32” rubber en minstens 1” lift hê wees.

[Woolf]

Please take me off the VI list. Have other commitments for that time