Kaokoland...makes you thirsty...for more!

[chopperpilot]

Marble Camp...nearly there!

An intimidating pass awaited us before we reached the Mopanie veld leading to Marble Camp.

The rocks appear to be slate, and it was quite a bumpy ride to the top. :-[

Once we cleared the pass and some rocky sections, me and Bertie stopped for a quick break, where I noticed my toolbag was awol! It was securely (I thought!) strapped to the top of the saddle bags. >

We decided to continue to camp and radio the back-up Land Cuiser and the Ranger to have a look-out. :thumleft:

No luck though, and at 16:00 I departed Marble Camp on the 500 to search for the toolkit. I missed the "Lone man of the Kaokoland", and found myself back at the "Rooi Drom", I believe a distance of 25 km. (It did take me an hour to get there!)

On the way there I focussed on the jeep track and on the way back I looked on either side of the jeep track. Nothing! >

When observing the type of rocks on the pass, which are similar to a large section of this track, a black regtangular bag will be difficult to spot! :'(

As I entered camp, Bertie and Duncan were mounting their steeds to come look for me, as it was past 6, my agreed cut-off time with them. An ice cold beer went down without touching sides! Thank you gents.

Please be on the lookout those planning do ride this route in future. The toolbag also had a set of levers for the clutch, brake and gear selector. :'(

I'm sure some beer could be exchanged for the toolkit! :thumleft:

Pics 1: The middle of the pass.

Pic 2: The top of the pass.

Pic 3: Marble Camp site, with abundant hot water in the showers!

 

[chopperpilot]

Last pics of Marble Camp

Pic 1: A perfect night in adventure rider paradise!

Pic 2: Discussing the day's ride. Apologies for the washing!

Pic 3: "Sleeping quarters" early morning. Hennie, Brian, Ian and Pete.

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 7: Marble Camp to Puros. 110 km

Today's route would take us past Orupembe, only visible in the distance from our route, to the stunning area of Puros. :biggrin:

First sections were rocky jeep track, followed by high speed flat sand, and rocky jeep track again to our first stop of the day with the vehicles. :thumleft:

 

[Noneking]

Amazing that it can look so different 1 year apart.....

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 7.1

The wide flat red sand provided ideal terrain for a runway, but with only the windsock a clear sign of its existance.

Opposite our first rest stop, another Lone Man of the Kaokoland was found, providing for excellent photo opportunities! : :thumleft:

Pic 1: Henk and Bertie (Otjiha Plains)

Pic 2: Bertie and Gordon

Pic 3: The Lone Man.

 

[chopperpilot]

Amazing that it can look so different 1 year apart.....

***********************************

What a difference!

Some of the areas we rode, had good rain. In the Sesfontein area there was lots of very short  grass visible. They must have received some good rain.

The absence of grass in this specific are, allowed for some high speed sand riding!

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 7.2

Pic 1: Having a break....

Pic 2: Close-up of this particular Lone Man...

 

[chopperpilot]

Day : 7.3

From the rest stop we travelled to intersect the road to Orupembe at the "Wit Drom" (White Drum).  :thumleft:

I could have mentioned this drum to be blue before. 

At the intersection, Orupembe was to the right, and to the left we had the opportunity to either cross, or ride the sandy river bed of the Khumib river, and we opted for the latter! :biggrin:

The smaller bikes had fun in the sand. Gordon was conducting his daily gim session on the AT though! :'(

We were expecting to see quite a bit of game on this day's route and were rewarded with sightings of giraffe, gemsbok and springbok. :thumleft:

The huge herd of springbok are far in the distance on the 3rd photo. :thumleft:

The elephants remained elusive. :'(

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 7.4.

The Ford Ranger, with Abel, Jannie, Elsabie and Beatie, observed a bit more than the riders.

They found another 2 of the Lone Men of the Kaokoland! :thumleft:

Abel contemplating to sell the Honda for a KTM!

As a complete newbie adventure rider, Abel had some rest in the Ranger, after completing Van Zyl's pass. :thumleft:

 

[P.K.]

Very nice Henk....great report.

 

[chopperpilot]

Very nice Henk....great report.

Thank you Pete... :thumleft:

 

[BikerJan]

Awesome RR Chopperpilot! Mouthwatering stuff, with great pictures

 

[chopperpilot]

Awesome RR Chopperpilot! Mouthwatering stuff, with great pictures

Thank you Jan. A privilege to have been on this adventure.

 

[0012]

geniet hierdie nog vreeslik baie!

Lone Men - is hulle op een of ander manier geanker? Sal n jammerte wees as iemand een van hulle moes wegdra as 'n herinnering aan hulle Nam avontuur!

 

[Amsterdam]

Marble Camp...nearly there!


Please be on the lookout those planning do ride this route in future. The toolbag also had a set of levers for the clutch, brake and gear selector. :'(

Is it on the section from van Zyl's pass to Marble camp, along the normal track?  I am going there in 2 weeks, you never know.

 

[chopperpilot]

geniet hierdie nog vreeslik baie!

Lone Men - is hulle op een of ander manier geanker? Sal n jammerte wees as iemand een van hulle moes wegdra as 'n herinnering aan hulle Nam avontuur!

Glo hulle sal te swaar wees om in een stuk te verwyder!

 

[chopperpilot]

Marble Camp...nearly there!


Please be on the lookout those planning do ride this route in future. The toolbag also had a set of levers for the clutch, brake and gear selector. :'(

Is it on the section from van Zyl's pass to Marble camp, along the normal track?  I am going there in 2 weeks, you never know.

[member=7804]Amsterdam[/member]

Correct, and more specific from the Rooidrom to Marble Camp, and yes, the normal route.

I had a look at my pics when I stopped at the Rooidrom, and it was still on the bike. When I stopped at about 3/4 the distance to Marble Camp, it was missing.

I belive it was caught by the rear wheel, and flung of the track.

It is black rip stop, and about 25 x 12 x 7 cms.

I did not observe any individual items on the jeep track itself. The KTM screwdriver and allen T handle's grips are orange.

Appreciate your willingness!

What will your route for your tour be?

 

[Amsterdam]

I am going with some friends on a tour with [member=19655]WildWood[/member].  We will start and end in Windhoek.  On the way up to Cunene we will go to Khorixas and then head North through the Sout River and do Robbie's pass.  And then after coming down from Epupa to van Zyl's Marble Camp, Puros, Hoanib revert Sesfontein.  Then we take a detour through Little Serengeti to Palmwag.  From there to Twyfelfontein and that great sandy section to Brandberg.  Then final stop at Spitzkoppe and back to Windhoek.

Nice thing is that this time I am doing it on the 500 and don't even have to carry any luggage.  Really looking forward to it.  And who knows, maybe we are lucky and spot your bag.

 

[chopperpilot]

I am going with some friends on a tour with [member=19655]WildWood[/member].  We will start and end in Windhoek.  On the way up to Cunene we will go to Khorixas and then head North through the Sout River and do Robbie's pass.  And then after coming down from Epupa to van Zyl's Marble Camp, Puros, Hoanib revert Sesfontein.  Then we take a detour through Little Serengeti to Palmwag.  From there to Twyfelfontein and that great sandy section to Brandberg.  Then final stop at Spitzkoppe and back to Windhoek.

Nice thing is that this time I am doing it on the 500 and don't even have to carry any luggage.  Really looking forward to it.  And who knows, maybe we are lucky and spot your bag.

Sounds like an awesome route....and on the 500 without luggage, it will be loads of fun!  :biggrin:

Thanks again for looking out for the bag!

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 7.4

We had fun riding in the Khumib dry river bed, Gordon not that much on the AT. :'(

We stopped for some shade, snacks and water under some trees next to the river bed.

Pic 1: Gordon, Zanie, Lance and Craig

Pic 2: Duncan and Henk

Pic 3: Bertie