Baboons is most definitely one of the routes that will test your skill, your vehicle and off course your sense of humour. When you plan this tour and mentioned it to others they say you are mad and you do not know what you are in for. Yes that is all true. It is more than one expected but again when you do something like this you must be prepared for the worst and know that your vehicle is going to take some hammering.The group;
Myself, Martin (my son) and David (Son in law) in LC 80 GX no lockers but with good lift. - Pretoria
Andrew and Mark in LR Puma with traction control and modified engine for much more oemf. - Durban
Lukas, Johan and Gerda in a standard Hilux 2007 model. Standard rear lockers - Pretoria
Simon and Estelle in 110 LR Defender (Cup-cake) No lockers – Kempton Park
Rudi and son Phillip in LC 80 GX. No Lockers - Bloemfontein
We all, except for Rudi meet each other in Clarens at 08:45 on Wednesday Morning. From here we travelled to Ramabanta via Caledonspoort. Ramabanta still is one of the nicest places to stay and serve one mean dinner for R85. While waiting for our dinner we watched some photos of a LC 70 that tows an Explorer up Baboons with a LR Defender to accompany them. Short of long the LR broke a side shaft and they could not get further with the caravan. They left the caravan and LR there to get spares in JHB and came back the weekend of 20 Sept to recover LR and Explorer. This was for some or other TV commercial that will be on KYKNET some were in January. The manager at the Lodge said that the two LR’s in our group will not make it to the top of Baboons, they will break side shafts.
Camping with us was a group of bikers that practice for the Roof of Africa that will take place in November. When they heard that we are going to do Baboons in cars they said it is impossible and can not be done by car. After some discussion they say they will come and check up on us the next day.
We hit the sleeping bags early because we must be up at 4:30 to hit the road at 05:30. We were well on time the next morning and left Ramabanta at 05:45. Spirits were high and everyone was ready for what was waiting for us. Not that we really knew what was coming. We sorted out the order of vehicles. First will be LR 90. Reason, it is a shorty and have a good break over angle and have traction control. Then me in LC followed by the Hilux, then the other LC and to complete the group the LR 110 at the back.
We did not even start and the road (if you can call it a road) was meeting us with full force and you say to yourself this is bad, but not that bad. Then one you realize that the fun still have to start when you see the big rock with “TERRIBLE SHIT” written on it to welcome us to Baboons.
Going was tuff but we were moving along at snails pace. Not long after the start the road really started to become a challenge. The LR 90 (Puma here after) really impressed me. It was climbing like a donkie (no punt intent) and Andrew knew his vehicle and had an excellent eye for a good line. I followed with not much off an effort in low range second most of the time and with some more gas where needed. If power is not enough give more power. The Hilux behind me started to struggle and road building was in the order of the day.
The Hilux was the first one who draw first blood. Took a hard nock on rock sliders that bent it and gave his body a good dent. Not long after that both me and Rudi’s LC’s running boards were next to take some hammering. Then Hilux hang himself up on a big rock. We have to High Lift him to get some rocks under his wheels. In no time we were on the road, Eich no road, again. We saw that Rudi’s LC loosing fuel. A big hole in his auxiliary tank. We stopped to fix it and were joined by the bikers who came to check on us.
Time was flying past but not the kilometers. It was time to build road for Puma to get over.
We were really travelling at less than walking pace. We then hit a really bad decent and took some good guiding and skill to get the vehicle save down. Again it was the Hilux that got damage on its side rear fender and lost its right rear light.
It took us 45 minutes to get 5 vehicles down this section of 15 meter.
Just round the corner we found a brilliant spot to camp for the night.
It was only 16:30 but we decided it is it for the day. Total km travelled 17.5 at an average speed of 2.4 km/h. Spirits were still high and every one was preparing for the night. As sun set the cold wind let us rush for some warm clothes. Around campfire we discussed the day’s activities. For everyone it was more that they expected but did not regret that they came along. Some good red wine and a great dinner rounded the day off in perfect manner. Everyone was in bed by 20:30.
We were up by 05:00 and back in the vehicles at 06:00 only to travel 800 meters when one hell off a climb awaits us. I know dung and I know mud, this was no mud. Again Puma had no problem getting up there but with some extra gas and more wheel spin than expected. I was second. Only made it up ¾. Right line but was thrown off line by rocks and momentum for 2nd gear was not enough. Second attempt in first I made it to the top. The Hilux could not make it up. We decided to winch it out by using a big big rock to anker winch. But on second thought the rock was not a good idea. Just now it starts rolling then we would have some flat vehicles. I got cold in my shoes when I see my LC coming down nose first. BIG, BIG mistake. One does not recover in reverse and there was no turn around place. In the process of turning around the Cruiser got stuck. No where to go. We decided to tie the Hilux (which is still half way up the hill) winch to the back of the LC and winch its rear back in line and get it of its belly. This whole episode took us 45 minutes.
We then decided that both the Hilux and LC must reverse back down to the bottom. I took the one of the passengers in the Hilux, who got sick and could not walk up the hill, with me in an attempt to make the Hilux lighter and give it 5mm more ground clearance. Again on second attempt I made it to the top. We packed some rock in most of the holes and planned with very great care the line that the Hilux must take. On second attempt with only the driver in the Hilux made it to the top with the necessary applause. The other Cruiser and the LR 110 made it to the top, both on second attempts. It took us almost 2 hours to get every one to the top.
Although we only travelled less than a km it was now time for breakfast.
We started the decent only to be faced with a very deep descend and in the middle a very sharp left turn and then a very narrow space to go through. Well Puma did not have any problems but to get a Cruiser through was no joke. With some minor scratches I made it through. The road on the other side was very narrow and I kept left not to fall of the mountain on the right hand in the process did not see a boulder in the grass on the left. One standard running board no more and a lekker dent in left front door. Not a great feeling. Well no time for tears because the mother of all climbs awaits us just round the corner. This must be the last part that everyone said that we will not make it up. After Puma got stuck for some time and had to winch it self out, winch tied to a rock. I knew this is going to be fun getting al vehicles up. My son took LC to tackle climb while I was guiding others through the narrow rocks.
Well Martin made it up half way up. We started pack some more rock. I took over and managed to get going again and made it to the top with some extra bouncing that was needed. We knew that we have to build more road and plan line carefully for the Hilux to get up there. Road is narrow and if you bounce too much or take wrong line you can easy go off the mountain on the right. To make a long story short we got all vehicle save up there. The top was close but not before the last real test awaits us. BIG rock as they call it. It is one mother of a rock that jou must climb while making a very sharp left turn. After a couple of attempt and getting the line right Puma made it to the top. Taking the same line as Puma I nearly made it. Two wheels in the air and no lockers give you zero traction. We packed some rocks and on my second attempt I made it over the rock with the LC left nose high up in the skies.
Hilux did not make it. I pulled it over the rock. The other two made it. Great was the relieve when we summated Baboons.
The last couple a KM’s to the end was really uneventful in comparison what we just done. The last 7 km from our overnight spot to the end took us 7 hours and 30 minutes. When we got to the main road there was visibly a relive on every ones face but the feeling of conquered Baboons was overwhelming.
After thought and conclusion:
Yes Baboons is not easy but not as bad as everyone make it to be. But do not get me wrong it is not a play in the park.
You must be well prepared and accept that your vehicle, especially your tyres will take punishment. On tyres, I must say I am very impressed with my Bighorn mud’s. At 1.5 bar it just crawl over the rocks.
Rock slider is a must if you really care for your vehicle.
Lockers will be a huge advantage and make the trip easier.
LR’s can make it up Baboons with out braking side shafts. I was very impressed with the ability of both LR’s
